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Work needs Play

Dr. Paul Epstein

Description

Historically, Dr. Maria Montessori doubted the value of young children’s play. Compared with how children became normalized through work, Montessori believed play was potentially harmful to children. Recent world events have challenged Montessori’s determination to “downplay” play. Children’s development of self-regulation and resilience, two necessary components of executive function, was severely disrupted when schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Isolated at home, children did not experience normal social encounters. Months later, concentration and socializing are still difficult for children in Montessori classrooms. Research recommends play as a natural remedy, but classic Montessori education regards play as antithetical to work. During this session we will discuss challenges to children’s development, a resolution to the classic Montessori work/play dichotomy, and how children and their development can benefit from play practices at their Montessori school.

Featuring

Paul Epstein

Paul is the educational director of Designs for Lifelong Learning. He has worked in education as an administrator, university professor, teacher trainer, classroom teacher, researcher, consultant, and author.

A highly regarded international and inspirational speaker, Paul brings transformative learning experiences to educators and parents throughout the world. He is the author of numerous articles and books including An Observer’s Notebook: Learning from Children with the Observation C.O.R.E. He is also the co-author of The 60-Day Montessori Observation Workbook and The Montessori Way, a definitive work on the Montessori experience.

His administrative experiences include working as a head of Montessori schools, and he brought the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program to one of the schools. Paul also works as a director and instructor of Montessori teacher education programs. He has been a Montessori classroom teacher in Montessori early childhood, middle, and high school programs.

Paul holds Montessori teacher certification in early childhood and secondary levels one and two from the American Montessori Society and his doctorate is in Cultural Anthropology.

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