THE BRIDGE - September 7, 2025
If we’re not having fun as teachers, then the kids definitely aren’t having fun.
Joy in learning spaces is contagious—when we feel it, students feel it too.
One of my favorite ways to spark that joy is through play.
I’ve seen this most powerfully when I give students the option to design a game as a culminating project for a unit of study.
Once, after learning about Ancient Mayan sports, several groups of students chose to create board games inspired by the games they had studied.
The content was grounded in the historical facts they learned, but the joy came through how they transformed knowledge into interactive, instructional play.
Their games weren’t just about right or wrong answers—they were about connection, creativity, and fun.
Why Play Matters
When students feel more confident, they’re willing to take more risks.
And learning itself is an act of risk-taking: putting forward an idea, testing it, and receiving feedback to guide your next move.
By embracing instructional play, we normalize this cycle.
Play helps us prioritize ongoing formative feedback while weaving in regular moments of celebration and connection.
The truth is, some educators still believe play “belongs” in elementary school on Friday afternoons and fades out as students get older.
But in its simplest terms, play is the act of engaging in an activity for enjoyment rather than a purely practical purpose. That’s something we all crave—at any age.
Pausing long enough to notice the absence of joy in your school day is a healthy place to start. Play is not childish; it’s human.
Strategies to Bring Play Into Any Classroom
So, how can teachers start to integrate play into daily instruction—without overhauling their entire curriculum? Here are a couple of simple strategies:
1. Start with what you have.
Play doesn’t require expensive tools or elaborate setups. Dice, spinners, and playing cards can instantly bring chance, variety, and excitement into learning.
If you don’t have physical materials, digital versions are easy to access at Toy Theater.
With a little imagination, the tools already around you can be transformed into engines of engagement.
2. Think about what brings you joy, and start small.
If music lightens your mood, try creating a collaborative playlist with your learners.
If a clean digital workspace helps you feel calm, explore ClassroomScreen to bring that clarity into your teaching environment.
Want a quick way to regroup students for fresh collaboration? Check out the free Flippity templates that shuffle, sort, and randomize groups with ease.
These small, joyful moments ripple out to students, making the classroom feel more alive and connected.
A Call to Joy
Ultimately, teaching through play isn’t about flashy activities or adding one more thing to your already full plate.
It’s about recognizing that your joy breeds more joy in your learning space.
When you identify the practices, tools, and moments that brighten your day—and then double down on bringing those into your classroom—you create an environment where students feel safe to take risks, connect deeply with content, and celebrate their growth.
So, pause and ask yourself: What brings me joy?
Then find ways to share that joy with your learners.
You’ll be amazed at how much more playful, meaningful, and human teaching can become when joy leads the way.
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