NERD_0398 Pretend Play IS Liberated Learning

Join host Heather Bernt-Santy as she talks with Mike Huber and Kisa Marx about pretend play, power, liberation, and their new podcast! 

From Mike's article The Power of Pretend Play: "At a time in their lives when they have very little control of their day-to-day life, young children frequently take on roles that involve some form of power. This allows them to experience power in ways they may not have otherwise."

From Kisa's article The Politics of Play: Protecting Children's Liberation in a World of Control: "As early educators, we often buckle under this pressure, trying to “play teacher” without recognition of the profound, foundational work we do in the first 1,800 days of a child’s life. In doing so, many of us become fluent in the language of the oppressed: silent. We stay quiet, afraid to make waves, fearful that raising concerns will disrupt the families we serve. We convince ourselves—mistakenly—that our silence will keep us safe."

Find Kisa’s article here: https://hub.exchangepress.com/articles-on-demand/70810/

Find Mike’s article here: https://hub.exchangepress.com/articles-on-demand/70870/

Order the Exchange winter 2025 issue on Protecting Play: https://hub.exchangepress.com/category/articles-on-demand/issue-280-winter-2025/

Access the recording of the Protecting Play online conference: https://hub.exchangepress.com/video/74364/

Order Heather’s book Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood: https://www.tcpress.com/using-schema-play-theory-to-advocate-for-free-play-in-early-childhood-9780807787243