Drew D. Gerdes is the Early Childhood Director at Messiah Lutheran School in Weldon Spring, Missouri. He presented at the LEA Convocation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in October 2013. The document provides his contact information, including his email, the school website, his Facebook page for education resources, and his Twitter handle.

1. Drew D. Gerdes
Early Childhood Director
Messiah Lutheran School
Weldon Spring, Missouri
LEA Convocation
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
October 2013

2. 

What were some of your favorite play
memories?
Was playing at home the same as playing at
school?

Who did you play with?

What did you play with?

3. On the card provided, write down
YOUR OWN definition of what you
believe PLAY means.
Keep the card handy – we‟ll look at it
later!

4. PLAY!
Even adults need to play!
While you play – what are some
things adults do to “play” or “play
with”?

5. Fun and entertaining
 Breath of fresh air!
Removes ourselves, even for just a bit, from the
busyness of everyday life.
 Restores our soul!
 Makes life seem innocent.



Any other thoughts of ideas?

6. THEN
NOW

7. THEN
Play was about
discovery
 Socialization
 Learning
 Imagination
 Mind-expansion
 Time management
 Self-regulation
NOW
Entertainment
 Supervision
 Fast, Fun, Easy
 Money
 Quiet
Loud – (often what I call
inappropriate play )
 Media-based
 Technology-based




8. As educators, we MUST be advocates for real, true,
meaningful play.




Parents may not know what this type of play is –
how can we help them learn?
We need to help children learn what this play is
and how to execute it.
Children of today play differently than children of
yesterday.

11. What is something that
you, AS AN ADULT,
have learned by actively
doing?
Briefly discuss with
those around you.
Sharing and thoughts…

12. Actually, there is no one
definition of play, but
rather a set of
characteristics.
What did you define
play as?
Share with neighbors!

13. Pleasurable
Symbolic
Play is an enjoyable and
pleasurable activity.
Play sometimes includes
frustrations, challenges
and fears;
however enjoyment is a
key feature.
Play is often pretend, it
has a „what if?‟ quality.
Play has meaning to the
player that is often not
evident to the educator.

14. Active
Voluntary
Play requires action,
either physical, verbal or
mental engagement with
materials, people, ideas
or the environment.
Play is freely chosen.
However, players can
also be invited or
prompted to play.

15. Process oriented
Self motivating
Play is a means unto
itself and players may
not have an end or goal
in sight.
play is considered its
own reward to the
player.
“I did it! Come see!”

16. 
As educators and caregivers, we provide the
best possible environment in which children
learn.


Think about the grocery store…
 Think about your home…
Children in our care need to learn specific areas
and their purposes, too!

17. A natural one!
BSO
Bright, Shiny Object
It‟s bound to catch a
child‟s attention!
And it should!

18. 
No matter what ages we work with, there need to
be specific areas that are designed for specific
purposes. This helps young minds learn about
purpose and organization.

“This is the right way we…”
 “Here is how we…”
 “Watch how this…”
 “Look at the way the…”
REMEMBER THESE PHRASES FOR LATER!!

19. The classroom environment is SO CRUCIAL for
appropriate learning in an early childhood
classroom.
Classrooms set to be set up and managed so that
teachers can “meander” about, observing, asking,
talking, directing, comforting, etc.
Teachers also model play!!!

20. Sensory Area
Reading Area
Technology Area
Writing Center
Block Area
Art Center/Easel
Puzzle Area
Manipulative Area
Dramatic Play Area
Science Area
Sink Area 
Bathroom 

21. Much thought and time must be spent with
setting up a developmentally appropriate, playbased classroom.
Yes, it must look nice, but the “cuteness” factor
wears off quickly.
Children don‟t care about cute – they are care
about use!

22. Hard Work!
Time-consuming!
Tiring!
Dirty!
Fun!
Adventurous!
THE RIGHT THING TO
DO!!!

23. We‟ll take a tour of any typical early childhood
classroom.
What should we see in these Learning Centers?
What should be taught/learned in each Learning
Center?
What can we do with/add to each Learning
Center?

24. Again, do parents really know what types of play
happens in our classrooms and early childhood
centers?
How can you help parents understand the real
meaning and purpose of play?
How can you share information with prospective
families?

25. Sensory Table
Contents vary
Exercise imagination
Concepts of size, shape,
volume, etc.
Use of tools
Warm, cool, dry, wet,
heavy, light
Social skills
Sharing with others

26. Be careful here!
Children still need to
physically manipulate
toys!
Learning for tomorrow
Let them become
familiar with everyday
technological gadgets
Use as a tool to reinforce
Limit use as apporpriate

27. Concepts of shape, size,
location
Create and repeat patterns
Mathematical reasoning
Imagination
Express ideas
Cooperation
Problem-solving
Order
Nature

28. Shape, position, fine
motor development
Mathematical reasoning
Position
Reading
Order
Routine
Purpose
Social skills

29. Social skills
Social-living skills
Resiliency
Life-skills
Community knowledge
Order and purpose
Problem-solving
Imagination
Vocabulary!

30. Yes! Really!
Jesus is the focus of our
day. This classroom
center may be one of the
only ways a child can
learn more about Jesus!
Touch – Learn – See –
Do!
Bible Story Book Shelf
Toys
Cuddling Toys

31. Health
Order
Purpose
Social skills
Patience
Cleaning
Cause/Effect
Engineering
Science skills

32. “Read” books and other
materials
Develop and personal
interest in reading
Use picture clues to
predict stories and
meaning
Alphabet knowledge
Curricular topics
Social experiences

33. Fine Motor development
Social skills
Hand-eye coordination
Creativity
Alphabet knowledge
Organization skills
Correlation between
speech and writing
Self-expression
Representation

34. Self expression
Use of materials in
different ways
Experiment with color,
texture, shape
Communication and
social skills
Problem-solving
Fine-motor development
Sense of accomplishment
and self-worth

35. According to me…
An easel must be
available for all children
to use all day!
Motor development
Posture
Extended thinking levels

36. Grouping, sorting,
matching – math skills
Visual discrimination
Problem solving skills
Enjoyment
Engineering
Social skills
Sharing
Purpose
Creativity

37. Exploration and
experimentation
Thinking outside the box!!!
Problem solving
Discovery and sharing
Nature
Move from concrete to
abstract thinking
High-level thinking skills
Order

38. Just like the sink, it‟s a
Learning Area!
Patience
Turn-taking
Our bodies
Health and Safety
Logic and Order
Routine
Purpose
Pre-reading skills 

39. What other Learning Centers and Areas might
you have in your classroom?
What is the purpose of these special spaces?
Steal from one another!!!

40. Designs for Living and
Learning
Deb Curtis and Margie
Carter
Redleaf Press
2003

41. Big Body Play: Why
boisterous, vigorous, and
very physical play is
essential to children’s
development and learning
Frances M. Carlson
NAEYC Publication
2011

42. Facebook!!!!
Twitter!!!!
www.facebook.com/
Just search for what you
are looking for!
Education Ease
Teach Preschool
Brick by Brick
Creative Connections for
Kids
Kreative Resources
Follow those you like!
Amazing Professional
Development
opportunity!

45. Drew D. Gerdes
Early Childhood Director
Messiah Lutheran School
Weldon Spring, MO
dgerdes@messiahnetwork.org
www.messiahnetwork.org
www.facebook.com/educationease
Follow me on Twitter @ddgerdes