JILL VIALET
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Why Play Works: Big Changes Start Small (Wiley, September 2021)

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In her book Why Play Works: Big Changes Start Small (Wiley, September,  2021) Jill Vialet explores the importance of play for this moment - as a tool for not  only helping us navigate new ways of managing fear and risk, but also as an opportunity to co-create experiences that help us address issues of equity and build the muscles that enable us to handle conflict respectfully.  Incorporating stories from twenty-five years of experience leading play programming across the country and abroad, play theory and science, and games that bridge the theory and practice, Why Play Works offers a fresh perspective for this moment.

“Why Play Works is an inspiring literary game changer for community leaders + educators. Jill generously shares a plethora of insights + wisdom + a game plan to maximize the power, value & positive impact that recess can offer. GameON!” #amazing #unlock #cheatcode #gratitude
—Kevin Carroll, author + katalyst

“WOW. In Why Play Works, Vialet offers a well written, fast moving and compelling case for why play —that seemingly frivolous childhood obsession —holds the seeds to social connectedness, civility and democracy itself. A must read for anyone who cares about children and the future of society and for all who can use a little more recess in their lives.”
—Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Professor of Psychology, Temple University; senior fellow Brookings Institution; author Becoming Brilliant and Einstein Never Used Flashcards

“What this book, celebrating 25 years of Playworks leadership and its proven accomplishments does, is…on close scrutiny, provide a compelling science-based workable narrative and methods for resolving seeming insoluble problems with which our inner city schools (and society) struggle. Problems which historically explode regularly in recess settings that then continue to disrupt the overall school settings, and reflect unsolved broad societal dysfunctions. However,
the solutions described in this book work “magically” in many varied and highly challenging settings., But beyond this book are also play-based solutions broadly applicable to transforming our polarized society itself. Jill’s leadership and Playworks track record and the details within this book provide the keys to providing an antidote to“connection, isolation, fear, distrust and despair, replacing it with joyfulness, resiliency changemaking skills,…and more.”
—Stuart Brown, MD Founder, National Institute for Play 

"Why Play Works makes the case for play equity in a moment when we need it more than ever. Vialet has brought together stories, insights and playfulness in a useful, readable format that we hope will shift the thinking of educators, activists and families of the important role of play to physical and mental wellbeing."
—Renata Simril, President and CEO, LA84 & President, Play Equity Fund

Why Play Works available here!


​Substantial Classrooms: Redesigning the Substitute Teaching Experience (Wiley, April, 2021)

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​“The Substantial story is exactly the kind we hope for when we select d.school fellows. By effectively applying design thinking to the broad-spectrum educational challenges that surround substitute teaching, Substantial is opening new pathways to collaboration, innovation, and truly significant change.” 
 - David Kelley, Founder, IDEO and Stanford’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design  (the d.school) 

“After a career of leading work to develop and support teachers, Substantial is the first book I’ve seen that takes an optimistic and practical look at how substitute teaching can be a positive, and integral, part of teaching our next generation. I can imagine that a lot of people will initially hesitate before cracking a book on subbing, but I can assure you - if you’re looking for encouragement - and answers! - Substantial is the place to start.” 
 -Ellen Moir, Founder, New Teacher Center 
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“Substantial is an engaging and inspiring look at an aspect of the educational system - substitute teaching - that has gone unexamined for too long. What if...?  How might we...? These simple questions become decisive turning points in a book sparked by inspiration, fueled by empathy, and fortified by years of on-the-ground  (in-the-schools) research. Amanda and Jill have not only done the work to prove you can jump in and turn small hacks into surprising, systemic change - they’ll radically alter how you see substitute teaching.” 
 -Arne Duncan, former US Secretary of Education 

Substantial Classrooms available here!

Recess Rules (Playworks, November, 2014)

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​After losing her parents in a car crash at age 8, life just hasn't been the same for Cassie Murphy. Now a fifth grader at Magruder Elementary, Cassie and her three friends, Zee, Toni and Bryant, have been trying to make the best of the same old routine of school, but somehow all the fun has been sucked out of it, and especially at recess. Between a dwindling number of students on the blacktop and Marcus Mackey’s need to bully away any games that might be had, Cassie and her crew are on the verge of giving up on their formerly beloved recess. The four friends get help from an unexpected place when an “angel-on-probation” named Clarence is sent to earth to help them fix recess. Clarence’s crusade gains new importance along the way, as Cassie learns that it’s alright to take the risk and care enough to try to change things for the better.

Recess is just starting to be fun again when the Superintendent visits and unveils his plan to eliminate recess altogether. Cassie and her friends are devastated, but they realize they have just one shot to convince the Superintendent that recess is important. Will Cassie and her friends be able to convince the Superintendent that it's worth the risk to care about recess, too?

Recess Rules available here!

To learn more about working with Jill 
​call 510-774-9444 or email [email protected]
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