356:  The sound of play

356: The sound of play

  ???? On our power of play series this week we talk with  Hayes Greenfield is founder of Creative Sound Play (CSP), a sound-based, generative learning system for Pre-K, as well as an award-winning jazz musician, notable film composer, and innovative educator. His book, Creative Sound Play for Young Learners (Routledge, Eye on Education Series, 2024), invites educators to use […]

355: Who gets to design the future of play?

355: Who gets to design the future of play?

Our guest this week is an expert with AR, VR, and XR. Meet Jeannine Charles who is committed to crafting immersive experiences that transcend the boundaries of reality.    Jeannine‘s journey began with a solid foundation in Industrial Design, which provided her with a holistic understanding of form, function, and user experience. Fuelled by curiosity and a desire to explore […]

Can play transform a city?

Can play transform a city?

play:ground NYC is an organization that focuses on the rights of children and creating affirming spaces for play. They believe that young people should be given authority, autonomy, and respect, and that society often mistreats and oppresses children. The organization promotes sustainability by using recycled materials and repurposing junk for play. They emphasize the importance of people and allocate most […]

Enhancing Well-being and Creativity through Play

Enhancing Well-being and Creativity through Play

Dr. Julie Jones discusses the power of play and challenges the myth that play is separate from learning. She emphasizes that play is not the opposite of work, but rather the opposite of depression. A playful classroom integrates cognition, movement, and emotion, and focuses on student choice and engagement. Dr. Jones suggests that teachers explore their own play personalities and […]

Season 8 of Shifting Schools Podcast – Trailer

Season 8 of Shifting Schools Podcast – Trailer

Welcome to Season 8 of the Shifting Schools Podcast! This season, we’re diving deeper into the topics that matter most to educators, with a special focus on practical strategies and innovative approaches. Get ready for new mini-series that tackle some of the most pressing issues in education today, including Generative AI—how it’s reshaping the classroom and empowering both teachers and […]

352: Practical advice for a more playful childhood

352: Practical advice for a more playful childhood

???? On our power of play series this week we talk with Jackie Mader   Jackie Mader is a senior early childhood reporter at The Hechinger Report, where she has reported on a range of topics including teacher preparation, special education and policies that impact young children and families. Her work has appeared in newspapers and outlets nationwide, including The […]

351: Skateboarding as a tool for change

351: Skateboarding as a tool for change

???? On our power of play series this week we talk with a remarkable leader with Skateistan, Hala Khalaf.  Skateistan is an international NGO that uses skateboarding as a tool for education and empowerment. It started with a few children in Kabul who were curious about skateboarding and has now grown into a global movement. The organization focuses on providing […]

350: The Power of Process-Oriented Play

350: The Power of Process-Oriented Play

???? On our power of play series this week we talk with Nawal Qarooni. ?????Connect with our guest and check out her book: https://nqcliteracy.org/ https://x.com/nqcliteracy?lang=en Chapters 00:00 Empowering Children Through Choices and Leadership 02:28 The Role of Play in Decision-Making and Learning 04:17 Libraries as Community Centers for Play 07:41 Communicating the Value of Play to the Broader Community 12:55 […]

349: What is the Impact of Play on Relationships?

349: What is the Impact of Play on Relationships?

???? On our power of play series this week we talk with Courtney McLeod. Courtney is an award-winning speaker and a professional life and leadership coach. Her super power is helping people experience and achieve things they never thought possible and she does this work through one-on-one and group coaching programs. She loves leading corporate team-building events and workshops designed […]