Transcript:

Welcome back, everyone! I’m so glad you’re here for lesson 2. Today, we’re focusing on a big mindset shift when it comes to play-based learning: the role of the teacher. It’s not about being the director of the classroom anymore; it’s about becoming a facilitator. Let’s break down what that looks like and how you can thrive in this role.

Shifting from a Director to a Facilitator
As teachers, we’re used to leading. We’ve all been there, right? Standing at the front of the room, telling kids what to do, when to do it, and how. But play-based learning asks us to take a step back. Instead of directing the action, we set the stage and let the kids take the lead. Think of it like this: You’re not the star of the show anymore—you’re the backstage crew making everything run smoothly. You’re still in control, but it’s subtle. You’re guiding, not dictating. It’s a big shift, but I promise it’s worth it.

Observing and Identifying Teachable Moments
Now, stepping back doesn’t mean checking out. This is where observation comes in. When kids are engaged in play, they’re constantly learning, even if it doesn’t look like it at first. Your job is to watch, listen, and be ready to jump in when there’s a teachable moment.

For example, if two kids are building a tower together and start arguing over the blocks, that’s your moment. You can step in and help them practice problem-solving or communication skills. It’s all about finding those natural opportunities to extend their learning.”

Setting Up an Environment Conducive to Play
A big part of being a facilitator is creating the right environment. Think of your classroom as a third teacher—it should invite curiosity, exploration, and creativity. This means having open-ended materials like blocks, art supplies, or loose parts that can be used in a million different ways. It also means organizing the space so kids feel free to move around and explore. Imagine walking into your classroom and seeing kids totally immersed in their play—that’s the dream, right?

What Should a Play-Based Classroom Include?
When we talk about creating a classroom that supports play-based learning, we’re really talking about designing a space where curiosity and creativity can thrive. This isn’t just about putting out some toys and calling it a day—it’s about intentionality. Every part of the environment should serve a purpose and invite play. Let’s break it down into key elements:

•Learning Zones
Think of your classroom as a collection of zones, each with a specific focus. Here are some examples:

•Dramatic Play Area: This could be a play kitchen, a dress-up corner, or even a simple setup with open-ended props like fabric, hats, or cardboard boxes. This space encourages storytelling, role-playing, and social-emotional learning. This is great for preschool and kindergarten ages.

•Building and Construction Zone: Include materials like blocks, Legos, Magna-Tiles, or even recycled materials like cardboard tubes and boxes. This area fosters problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and teamwork.

•Art and Creativity Station: Stock this area with paper, markers, crayons, glue, scissors, paint, and loose parts like buttons, beads, or feathers. It’s all about letting kids express themselves and explore different textures and mediums.

•Quiet Reading Nook: Create a cozy corner with soft seating, cushions, and a selection of books. This offers kids a chance to unwind, explore stories, and build literacy skills.

•Sensory Play Area: Provide materials like sand, water, playdough, or sensory bins filled with rice, beans, or small objects to explore. Sensory play is great for younger kids to develop fine motor skills and regulate their emotions.

•Outdoor Play Opportunities: If you have access to an outdoor space, use it! Outdoor play supports gross motor development and provides endless opportunities for imaginative play.

Here are some visual examples of my own classrooms. It’s easier to think of a preschool classroom as play-based because there is a lot of play that happens in preschool. Here are two photos of zones in my classroom. The first one is a science center where students can explore, discover, and act like scientist. Sometimes I had specific tasks for them and other times it was whatever the students wanted to do. The next photo shows our sensory table. Every week we switched out our table to have something new. This is is colored water with gold paint, which makes it swirly and looks like the water is moving!

Now you might be thinking it’s too hard to make older grades play-based. Well let me tell you that when I taught 4^th grade, I definitely added play into the classroom. Whether it was creating with recyclables, playing games to practice math facts, or playing with magnets to discover how they work, I tried my best to add play into our day! You might even notice I put a futon and bunk bed in my room! This was where we did our morning meetings and it was a choice for students to sit in while they read. Now this was over 15 years ago! I’ve learned so much since then and would add so much more to my classroom if I was teaching 4^th grade now.

Now I want to share some tips with you for creating space. This is what I’ve learned through experience and what I wished I had known as a new teacher!

Open-Ended Materials
Open-ended materials are key to play-based learning because they can be used in countless ways. Think about materials that don’t have a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to play with them.

Here are some ideas:

•Loose Parts: Natural materials like sticks, pinecones, shells, and stones, or man-made items like bottle caps, fabric scraps, and cardboard pieces.

•Art Supplies: Let kids use materials like clay, pipe cleaners, and paper to create whatever comes to mind.

•Flexible Toys: Blocks, playdough, and stacking materials allow for imaginative construction and creativity.

These materials spark creativity and encourage kids to think outside the box.

Accessibility and Organization
The way you organize your classroom can make or break the play experience. Kids should feel like they can easily find what they need and put it back when they’re done.

•Shelving: Use open shelves with clear bins or labels (picture labels for younger kids) so children can independently access materials.

•Rotating Materials: Keep things fresh by rotating toys and materials. You don’t need everything out at once—it’s better to have a few engaging options than an overwhelming number of choices.

•Kid-Friendly Layout: Arrange furniture and materials at the child’s eye level. They should feel like the space belongs to them.

Invitations to Play
Sometimes, kids need a little spark to get started. This is where invitations to play come in. These are setups or provocations that invite children to explore a material or concept.

For example:

• Set up a small table with playdough, cookie cutters, and rolling pins.
• Arrange blocks next to small toy animals to inspire a zoo-building activity.
• Lay out a few magnifying glasses and natural items like leaves and pinecones for a nature investigation station.
• Put butcher paper on a table. Use a cookie cutter to outline shapes (like a heart or a tree) Then have kids color and make designs on them.

The goal is to create opportunities that are intriguing but open-ended enough for kids to take the lead.

Visual and Emotional Appeal
Finally, the space should feel welcoming and inspiring. This is where your personal touch as a teacher comes in.

•Natural Elements: Incorporate plants, natural light, and calming colors.

•Displays of Student Work: Show kids that their creations are valued by displaying them at their eye level.

•Comfortable Spaces: Include rugs, pillows, and soft lighting to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. You may even want to add in a bunk bed and futon, like I did!

Remember, a play-based classroom isn’t about being Pinterest-perfect—it’s about being functional, flexible, and kid-centered. When you design your space with intention, you’ll see how it sparks curiosity, collaboration, and joy in your students. And that’s what it’s all about!

Activity: Design Your Play-Based Classroom Layout
Let’s put this into practice with a quick activity. I want you to think about your own classroom. How could you arrange it to support play-based learning?

•Start by identifying different zones—maybe a quiet reading corner, a space for messy play, or an area for dramatic play. Think about the materials you’d include and how you’d make them accessible to kids.

•Take about 10 minutes to sketch out a basic layout. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—this is just to get your ideas flowing.

To wrap up, remember this: In a play-based learning environment, you’re the guide on the side, not the sage on the stage. Your role is to observe, facilitate, and create an environment where kids can thrive. It’s a shift, but I know you’ve got this.