Empowered by Play » “Six…Going on Sixteen” http://www.empoweredbyplay.org Helping families and teachers protect and promote imaginative play in our way-too-busy, consumer-driven, media-filled world. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:54:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Why Empowered by Play… http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/2009/06/why-empowered-by-play-2/ http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/2009/06/why-empowered-by-play-2/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:01:00 +0000 Geralyn http://www.empoweredbyplay.com/2009/06/why-empowered-by-play-2/ Backing up a bit, here are a few thoughts about why I titled my blog “Empowered by Play”. If you read my piece Six, Going on Sixteen in Rethinking Schools, then you probably have a good idea. A few years ago, while teaching 5, 6 and 7-year-olds, I was caught off-guard by the needs of [...]]]> Backing up a bit, here are a few thoughts about why I titled my blog “Empowered by Play”. If you read my piece Six, Going on Sixteen in Rethinking Schools, then you probably have a good idea. A few years ago, while teaching 5, 6 and 7-year-olds, I was caught off-guard by the needs of youngsters who were growing up way too quickly. They were stressed, and so was I. It was a complicated problem, and in the end, an explicit focus on play helped to turn things around. Because I could imagine a different kind of classroom, and they could tap into their own creativity and resourcefulness, we were empowered by play.

It happens all around us – all the time. Just stop and look. My son recently taught himself how to swing. Now he proudly runs to the swing set for time alone to hone and enjoy his skill. He is playing and working…a kind of work that is playful and intrinsically motivating. Even though he’s only five, he explains it expertly: “If it’s hard work, but if you like it, then it’s fun.”
Some folks like to play with ideas and imagine new possibilities. Others like to play with words and create poems and stories. And others like to play with numbers. For instance, I get a kick out of playing with the nine-times tables. Have you ever tried it? The patterns revealed are fascinating, and to me, fun. It works like this: multiply any number by 9, then add the sum of the digits. The answer will always be 9. For example: 9 x 13 = 117. 1 + 1 + 7 = 9. And that’s just the start of it – there are so many more patterns like this.
Grown-ups and kids need time to play and imagine…in the school day, in the work day, and at home. Otherwise, what’s the point?
]]> http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/2009/06/why-empowered-by-play-2/feed/ 2 Game On! http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/2009/05/game-on-2/ http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/2009/05/game-on-2/#comments Fri, 08 May 2009 11:48:00 +0000 Geralyn http://www.empoweredbyplay.com/2009/05/game-on-2/ Here I am…launching my blog today! As a teacher and parent I am determined to bring healthy, creative and imaginative play back into the lives of children. I will post practical strategies, relevant research, and helpful resources for parents, teachers, and anyone else who is concerned about protecting children. I will include ways you can [...]]]> Here I am…launching my blog today! As a teacher and parent I am determined to bring healthy, creative and imaginative play back into the lives of children. I will post practical strategies, relevant research, and helpful resources for parents, teachers, and anyone else who is concerned about protecting children. I will include ways you can make a little bit of trouble here and there to shake up the status quo and bring attention to the issues. The battle against corporate encroachment into children’s lives has begun…and there is strength in numbers and knowledge. Keep an eye here for ways to fight back against marketers who exploit children and our mainstream media which is forcing children to grow up too soon. For more information about me, and my work with children and families around some of these issues, read my article, Six, Going on Sixteen in the spring 2009 issue of Rethinking Schools.
Game on!
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