Ready Players Two, Three, and Four

Say it with me: you can’t win if you don’t play. Phew! That’s out of the way. But really, if you’ve stuck with me this long you know all about those mighty neurons whose chemical synapses are on fire sending messages that enhance learning during play.

You also know that there are special mirror neurons that may help us take the perspective of others (just watch someone yawn and try NOT to) to be more empathetic and improve how we see ourselves.

Chapter 5 makes clear that play is a collaborative sport. The learning that transpires during play is exponentially increased because it is done with others.

Level Up 14 from the pages of #GameOnBrainOn is a sneaky riff on one of the oldest teacher tricks in the book: asking your kids with whom they engage most and least in school.

This iteration on an old school leaderboard is an asset-based way for your kids to take the perspective of the folks with whom they don’t often spend time with as well as those with whom they work regularly.

The fancy term used by researchers is sociometric popularity or peer-perceived popularity. Whatever the terminology, these types of questions are ideal to truly see the learning landscape in your space.

Who are the kids that are most often together, who are the kids that are often left out? Sure, we all know our kids (students AND children) but there are always a few surprises, and they make all the difference.

Knowing together means growing together, which is why connections are enhanced through collaborative play. Use this tool as inspiration to sow the seeds of empathy through play in your learning space and then celebrate how your learners move from me-centered to we-centered in their learning and lives.

Level up with some seriously fun and cooperative play

Them bombs became a quick family favorite during our time at home when visiting friends and relatives was not an option. This cooperative game was impressively suited for virtual play where one team used the app on a smartphone or a device as the “Unlikely Hero” while the other friend works from remote (see it even fits the story line!) using the manual to guide the hero in disarming the bomb.