From Play to Practice

"In the current discourse about play and early education, one factor is often overlooked—teachers’ perceptions of play. Teachers who are in touch with the power of play are more likely to use play-based teaching strategies than those who are not. This book raises teachers’ awareness of how play promotes all aspects of children’s development." — James Christie, Professor, Social and Family Dynamics, Arizona State University

"This book is a concise and articulate presentation of play’s impact on learning and provides a guide to improving teaching practices and children’s experience. The combination of theory and application to both children and adults is clearly unique in the field." —K. Craig Jones, Associate Professor, Early Childhood Education, University of West Florida

"Now more than ever, children need help connecting deeply to learning through play. From Play to Practice is exactly the book teachers need to help make this happen." —Diane E. Levin, Professor, Early Childhood Education, Wheelock College

"When teachers play, they learn to see the materials and their possibilities for learning through the eyes of a child. This book illustrates clearly that play is part of planning developmentally appropriate curriculum." —Susan Wood, Executive Director, The Children’s Center California Institute of Technology

"While many consider play a frivolous activity in which children should occasionally engage, this book illustrates the reflection, research, practices, and transformation surrounding the topic. Marcia Nell and Walter Drew’s discussion convinces us that play—like learning—is a lifelong pursuit." —Luis Hernandez, Early Childhood Specialist/TTAS, Western Kentucky University