COMMENTS from Previous Years

This is great.  The real measure of success, now, will be to see how this carries over.  Do educators begin to see the value of bringing back recess where it has been lost?  Do they begin to see the value of reducing homework and encouraging parents to find ways for their kids to play with other kids outside of school?  Do they begin to see how schools themselves could become play spaces during after-school hours?  Again, I thank you for initiating this movement.  It is the most exciting thing I've seen in a long long time.

Best wishes,

Peter

I was amazed at how well the class played, and absolutely enjoyed watching them be a little community. They were never loud. They never ran in the classroom, or jumped chairs, or wrestled each other (things that they try to do on a daily basis). Four students approached me with small tattles at the very beginning of the afternoon, and I just told them to work it out or talk about it (I had vowed that I wouldn't step in and handle it for them...this was a skill that could be practiced on a day like today). After that...they handled it all. Play-Doh creation accidentally destroyed? Apologies and understanding. Lego building accidentally destroyed by a passer-by? Apologies, understanding, and help rebuilding. They governed themselves, for the most part, and it was glorious. Sharing. Helping others. Including others. I was so proud of my kiddos for working together as a community.

I just want to thank you for bringing GSPD to my attention.  Having conversations with my students prior to today really opened my eyes!  So many of them do not play outside with their friends at home…which is really sad in my opinion.  I loved painting, playing games and just relaxing and listening to the students’ stories….I mean really listen…not rushing on to the next task for us to finish.  They opened up and solved problems all on their own…the girls made a house fort so they could play dolls…but the boys were upset they couldn’t get in…Next thing I knew the girls were talking and said, “We’ll make a boys room too!”…it was awesome!

Thank you again!  I truly will implement play into my daily/weekly lessons! We all need it.