Playful Learning in Middle and High School

Bringing Playfulness to older Students… 

Academics and college transcripts become the center of attention for students in middle and high school but there should also be a sense of urgency in keeping up with the creative innovation that happens through play. Yet, what is the secondary school equivalent for the sort of curious discovering that happens when little children play in the sandbox, finger-paint, work with squares or play pretend?

"When your 4-year-old is dipping his hand in the rice table, he's learning really important things about tactile touch," said Denise Pope, senior lecturer at Stanford's Graduate School of Education and co-founder of Challenge Success. "Older kids need those same tactile, hands-on experiences to learn as well."

Young people require imaginative outlets, much the same as primary school youngsters. Those encounters help open their brains in various ways, gets them amped up for learning and enables them to have a ton of fun. Fun loving learning can thus prompt further commitment with school, increase learning retention as well as inspire and motivate students throughout their entire schooling experience.

There are several ways to encourage teenagers to learn playfully; find the how-to's when you particirpate in the Playful Learning Workshop.