This week’s contents

Welcome to Opal School Online's second module! Here, we'll explore the role of play in formal learning environments and in healthy child development. Watch the young child in "An Investigation" and the fifth graders in "Traveling Through Time."  What connections do you see? Many of the articles focus on older children. Why do you think we do so, knowing that the majority of Opal School Online registrants work with younger children? Our intention is to challenge you and others who work with younger children to develop increasing confidence as you advocate for playful learning environments for the children you teach. What if we were supporting the rights of children of all ages to use the power of play, rather than trying to protect it only for the youngers as academic standards are pushing down? 

As with the previous module, the order you interact with the entries is up to you — but we've made a suggested sequence here:

Article: What is playful inquiry?

Video Reflection: Opal School Children on Play and Learning

Article: The Principles of Playful Inquiry

Video Reflection: An Investigation: The power of natural learning strategies

Video and article: Teaching History through Playful Inquiry

Article: Traveling Through Time to Rethink the US Constitution

Video Reflection: Opal School Children Design a Playground