Gryphon House Releases Play Today

Book offers creative ideas for dramatic play in early childhood classrooms

LEWISVILLE, N.C.--()--Playtime is critical brain-building time, according to the new Gryphon House book Play Today: Building the Young Brain through Creative Expression, by Ann Barbour, PhD. The book, which explains the brain research behind play-based learning, offers dozens of easy scenarios for open-ended explorations in preschool classrooms.

Beginning with the definition of dramatic play and its impact on cognitive, physical, language and social-emotional development, Play Today shows readers how to bring the strategies to life. The book provides ideas that are adaptable for indoor and outdoor play, using simple props and donated items. The appendixes offer recommended children’s books, recipes for art materials, and online resources to extend learning.

“The concept of play as central to a child’s development is a hot topic, but we forget that the first preschool and kindergarten programs were actually based on learning through play,” Barbour said. “Now, we have even more research that links free play with healthy development in children, and how it facilitates learning.”

Barbour has previously authored the book Prop Box Play: 50 Themes to Inspire Dramatic Play, also published by Gryphon House, Inc., the leading publisher of educational resources for teachers. Play Today will be released in April 2016 but is available for pre-order now.

To request a free excerpt or e-galley copy, please contact anna@ghbooks.com

Play Today: Building the Young Brain through Creative Expression; IBSN 978-0-87659-661-6; 144 pp.; PB; $14.95.

About the Author

Ann Barbour, PhD, is a professor emerita of early childhood education at California State University, Los Angeles. She has played an active role in education for more than 30 years. She is content advisor for A Place of Our Own/Los Niños en Su Casa, a television series for parents and caregivers of children from birth to five, broadcast throughout California.

About Gryphon House, Inc.

Gryphon House, Inc., is an award-winning publisher of resource books for parents and teachers of children from birth through age eight. Developmentally appropriate and easy to use, Gryphon House books provide parents and teachers with the tools they need to bring the joy of learning to young children. To learn more, or to check out the entire collection, visit www.gryphonhouse.com.

Contacts

Gryphon House, Inc.
Anna Wilmoth, 336-712-3480
anna@ghbooks.com

Contacts

Gryphon House, Inc.
Anna Wilmoth, 336-712-3480
anna@ghbooks.com