This plaintive cry from a teacher, starting up a new blog, has resonated across the blogosphere.

And rightly so.    She tells of her attempt to get her colleagues to discuss, and give themselves, “time to play” in online sessions, only to be slapped down as being “unprofessional”.    Giving teachers time to play online?    What an outrageous waste of taxpayers/parents money.

But, she argues, “Shouldn’t teachers play with new knowledge and information?    Why should learning be serious work?    Is this the feeling we impart to our students about learning?    If teachers cannot find joy in learning is it possible to create students who are life-long learners?”

“Teachers feel overwhelmed, uncomfortable, and uncertain of how to integrate technology in their everyday teaching . . . If we give teachers opportunities to ‘play’ they will become aware of the educational applications the technologies provide and will be much more confident using them with their students.”

She’s absolutely right.    She’s right that play is a superb way to learn: that’s how kids learn; indeed, many a developmental psychologist will tell you that learning is why kid’s play; that the purpose of play is to learn.

Indeed, according to some theorists, play can actually stimulate the growth of new neurons, whereas “dull, lifeless work environments cause brain damage” or, at least, make our brains become significantly less efficient.    Brains need both regular exercise, and the stimulus of enjoyment.    Play provides both.

So our original authoress is also right to bemoan the absolute inability of every pompous planner and politician to acknowledge the importance of play.    Can you imagine it: LSC grants for time to play?    Ofsted reports recommending more play time and less lessons in schools?    Anathema.

So don’t delay.    Play today.    It’s the proper way to learn.

Sources:   Playing to learn
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