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