Play Resources

Play Websites

The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) – https://studyofplay.org/

Defending the Early Years (DEY) – https://dey.org

International Play Association (IPA) – https://ipaworld.org

Alliance for Childhood – https://allianceforchildhood.org

Institute for Self Active Education – https://isaeplay.org

National Institute for Play – https://nifplay.org

Outside Play – www.outsideplay.org

Voice of Play – https://voiceofplay.org

US Play Coalition – https://usplaycoalition.org

Professors at Play – https://professorsatplay.org

The Play Brigade – https://playbrigade.com

Project Zero – https://pz.harvard.edu/projects/pedagogy-of-play

Promoting Play with Families

Why is Play Important? – https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/play

6 Benefits of Play – https://thegeniusofplay.org/tgop/benefits/genius/benefits-of-play/benefits-of-play-home.aspx?hkey=75c664db-cb16-4004-8756-03ba00ba381e

Play Book – https://www.romper.com/makebelieve

Recommended Reading

From Play to Practice

By Marcia L. Nell & Walter F. Drew, with Deborah E. Bush

Description:How do we help teachers deepen their understanding of the importance of play? How do we strengthen teachers’ ability to skillfully and intentionally guide children’s learning through play? When teachers engage in creative, open-ended play experiences, they learn firsthand the power of play. They also become more knowledgeable about the purposeful use of materials and intentional teaching strategies they can use to help children engage in open-ended play.

From Play to Practice describes how and why play is important. The play workshop experiences for educators that are outlined in the book help teachers understand and promote play-based learning as part of developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs. Journal reflections of play participants, along with photos from play workshops, illustrate the power of play to change professional and personal lives.

by Walter F. Drew Ed.D., Marcia L. Nell PH.D.
Description: Self Active Play shares with readers the principles and experiences of 30+ years of exploring play through the Institute for Self Active Education and with hundreds of children and educators.
Self Active Play delivers insights you can use in opening up environments for play; advice for stocking play spaces with creative open-ended materials; and on the important job of nurturing teachers and parents in the art of play.

This book proves that play is key to optimal development in early childhood and significant to all of us no matter what age.

The Original Learning Approach: Weaving Together Playing, Learning, and Teaching in Early Childhood

By Suzanne Axelsson

Description: The Original Learning Approach is a new reflective practice inspired by Reggio Emilia that allows children to learn and play naturally and at their own pace and can be applied to any pedagogical method, philosophy, or context. The Original Learning Approach facilitates observation, imitation, learning, and practice through autonomous play. By incorporating wonder, curiosity, joy, knowledge, imagination, interaction, risk, time, reflection, and listening into teaching, this play-responsive lens will help early childhood professionals nurture continuous lifelong learners. 

Lisa Murphy on Play: The Foundation of Children’s Learning

By Lisa Murphy

Description: Discover why playing is school readiness with this updated guide. Timely research and new stories highlight how play is vital to the social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual development of children. Learn the seven meaningful experiences we should provide children with every day and why they are so important.