Remember the way play shaped your life, your sense of purpose and your ways of being? Explore how early play experiences are central to the formation of identity, language, meaning-making, and life purpose. Discover what children really need in your classroom to be challenged, grow, and thrive. Make the most of planning, spaces, places, and play as you reevaluate the processes of child-centered teaching. Design and arrange materials with a purpose and maximize children’s opportunities to learn with confidence, curiosity, and creativity. Reimagine your classroom and create zones of impact that boost motivation, curiosity, engagement, and fun.

About Marie Masterson

Marie Masterson is a national speaker, author, child-behavior expert, and consultant to state agencies, schools, and programs that serve children birth through age eight and their families. She holds a Ph.D. in early childhood education, is a licensed teacher, and serves the field as a policy consultant, trainer, and advocate. She is the director of quality assessment for Illinois ExceleRate and develops coaching and quality training materials for state agencies and technical assistance initiatives. She is the author of many books and articles that promote child-centered, research-anchored practices that honor the right of children to develop their gifts and potential in the context of adults and peers who nurture, encourage, and nourish their creativity and engagement in learning and life.