Hi folks. It has been some time since I have posted one of my parent resources. I apologize for that. This week I would like to direct you to an interesting article about play. Often, in the world of education, we become entrenched in thinking that learning only happens when students are sitting in a classroom directed by a teacher. When in fact, some of the most important learning we do occurs while we play. I love standing on the open field at lunch time while students either play a game of footie or an inventive adapted game. As they play, the students don't realize that they are practicing self-control, group socialization skills, regulation of rules, and negotiation. In the natural setting this practice is much more relevant than in a contrived lesson. Therefore, I encourage you to provide your children with unstructured play time and then simply sit back from afar and watch. And yes, this goes for our oldest students as well. In some ways, they may need it the most.