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You’ve tried everything to get your kids or students excited about reading, but still, something’s not clicking.
It’s not because you’re not trying hard enough. It’s because something essential is missing—play.
Not as a break. Not as a reward. But as a way in.
Play sparks what worksheets can’t: imagination, connection, and joy. It helps children make meaning, not just decode words. And when you build literacy on that foundation? That’s when it sticks.
This week, we’re exploring ways to bring play back into early reading in a way that feels aligned, purposeful, and incredibly effective. Let's dive in!
#358: Sean Bell's Journey: 13,964 Kilometres and A World Record Around Australia
This week, Paul and I reconnect with Sean Bell, who just completed his record-breaking run around Australia.
Sean's journey is full of moments that speak to what we value most: the power of purpose, the importance of mindset, and the role of joy—even in the hard stuff.
Whether you're teaching early literacy or training for a marathon, the lesson holds that progress sticks when it's driven by something deeper.
Daily Mission Cards
Struggling to get every child engaged in literacy tasks?
Today’s mission: Invite your learners to create a short story, rhyme, or poem using inspiration from their surroundings. The goal? Spark curiosity and give every child an entry point. No pressure, just play.
For early language learners, this open-ended task levels the playing field. Everyone has something to notice. Everyone has a story to tell. And when students feel safe to express ideas without fear of being “wrong,” participation naturally rises.
Get the Creative Play and Movement Mission Cards for more simple ways to build literacy through joyful, inclusive play!
100 Dictionary – Numeracy Game
Ever feel boxed in by the idea that literacy and numeracy have to be taught separately? This game says otherwise.
100 Dictionary invites students to play with words and numbers, blurring the line between subjects in the best possible way. It supports literacy through decoding, vocabulary, and reasoning, while strengthening numeracy through pattern recognition and calculation.
Download this game or watch the video below, and see how easily you can weave literacy into any part of the day!
Improve Your Memory 200% with Tansel Ali
Memory is a teachable tool. And most of us were never shown how to use it properly.
In this eye-opening session, Tansel Ali, 4-time Australian Memory Champion, shares simple, powerful techniques to help you learn faster and make knowledge stick for good.
These are strategies you can pass on to your students to improve focus, boost confidence, and transform how they retain new information.
This is real, practical training that helps close the gap when time and attention are stretched thin.
Save this course for later. Learn it. Use it. Share it!
I’d Love to See You There – Teacher Play FunShop
Join me for a full-day Teacher Play FunShop, designed to equip educators with practical, research-backed strategies to transform school culture through the power of play.
What you’ll gain:
- Engaging, hands-on activities
- Tools to enhance student well-being, motivation, and resilience
- Proven frameworks like The Daily PEGG (Play, Exercise, Gratitude, Giving)
- Strategies to reduce teacher burnout and foster joyful, connected classrooms
This pre-conference workshop is perfect for teachers, school leaders, and well-being champions who are ready to infuse their practice with energy, creativity, and lasting impact.
Includes exclusive resources + a 12-month membership to The School of Play’s online portal.
14 November 2025 | Hosted by The School of Play
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