Playful Co-exploration with Children Supports Educator Well-Being 

A considerable body of research demonstrates that play can be a powerful vehicle for children’s learning, but much less has been done to explore the relationship between play and teacher well-being.  In this talk,  I will present the emerging connections that researchers have found in understanding teacher well-being and teacher play in and outside of the classroom. 

We know that teaching comes with emotional burdens, high expectations, and often excessive pressure.  These factors contribute to a reduced sense of a teacher's well-being. Teachers with poor well-being can in turn have a negative impact on the stress levels of their students. Play can support human flourishing and wellness in all areas of life.  Therefore, encouraging teachers to play, or to have a playful disposition, could increase their feelings of enjoyment, help them reframe their thinking to find balance and renewed joy and meaning in their work.