BEFORE THE EVENT

Sign up ASAP to register your support for GSPD.

Send home the GSPD parent information/permission slip - linked below (The organizers of GSPD are not liable for your school’s activities. You may wish to alter the parent letter to suit your own school’s situation and needs.) 

Educate your students, parents, and other educators on the decline, the importance and the benefits of free play. 

Contact the media. Invite them to cover your event. The more word gets out about the benefits of unstructured play, the better!

Teach your students some childish games. What did you do to play as a child?

Hold a class discussion on student expectations for GSPD:

• What do you plan to do on GSPD?
• What will you bring to school?
• What do you expect from the other students?
• Why are you looking forward to GSPD?
• Do you have any worries for GSPD?
• What should the students do if they need something from you, the teacher?
• How will we share our toys? 

Explain your role as an adult in GSPD. When will you intervene? When will you let the children work out their own issues?

Talk about the schedule of the day. How long will the students have to play? Will they be indoors or out

Remind the students the night before GSPD to bring toys, games, and puzzles to school. Perhaps you will use email, Remind App, or phone messaging. 

Review the student expectations (see above.) Here is an example of expectations created by a collaboration between teacher and students. 

Let the students play freely. This is a day of UNSTRUCTURED play, not playful learning directed by the teacher. Resist the temptation to intervene and use the event as a teaching opportunity. The students will be learning by playing. 

Take pictures. Post them on social media. Of course, make sure this is allowed by your parents, administration, and district policies. Tag your pictures #GSPD2024.

Tweet about the experience giving your observations to your peers. Use the hashtags #GSPD__ (year i.e. #GSPD2024)

Write a blog post to share about the event.

Some teachers may wish to break up the free play with class meetings where students reflect on their experiences. Some possible discussion questions include:

• How is GSPD going for you so far? 
• Is there anything that is bothering you?
• Do you feel the other kids are playing nicely with you?
• Have you learned anything new?
• Do you want anything to change?

Discuss the event with your class. How did it go? How can you spend more time playing at home? Did our event change how you view free play? 

Here’s an example of a class reflection on the benefits of playing cards.

Share the excitement of the event with your families. Encourage them to help their children spend more time playing at home.

Share your thoughts and photos on social media or blogs.

Tell other teachers about the event and the impact that you expect it will have on your students and their families.

Send a note home to encourage the continuation of unstructured play beyond school hours. 

Perhaps you will ask your students to write/blog about their day of play. Share your students’ writing on the GSPD Facebook page!