Friday 4/12 afternoon: "Play as a Powerful Tool in Education" - Peter Gray

 

Day 2:                         Friday April 12, 2019

 

Afternoon Session:   Play as a Powerful Tool in Educational contexts

 

"You can not get play into a school. School is structured & framed, while play is not". This is a phrase often heard by pure play people. On the other hand, everyone agrees that play is a powerful learning tool. We do not play to learn - but we learn a lot while playing.

 

In this stunning session chaired by Tom Hobson, Dr. Peter Gray will explain what play is and will reveal its' educational value. Then, a number of presenters from all over the world will share with their stories based on different play approaches.

 

Duration:                    4 pm- 7.30 pm

 

 

Dr. Peter Gray USA)

 

Play is a word that we use commonly to refer to children's preferred activities and to some adult activities.  But what, really, is play?  In this talk I will define play as activity that is (1) self-chosen and self-directed; (2) motivated by means more than ends; (3) guided by mental rules; (4) includes a strong element of imagination; and (5) is conducted in an alert, active, but relatively non-stressed frame of mind. I will describe these characteristics and show how each of them contributes to play’s educational and developmental value.  I will explain why play came about, in natural selection, to promote children’s healthy physical, intellectual, social, moral, and emotional growth and will describe the psychological detriments that have accompanied the decline of play in recent decades.

 

 

17.00 - 17.20:   Break

 

17.20 - 19.00:   Presentations