Play “Books”

Self Active Play

Marcia L Nell, Ph.D. and Walter F. Drew, Ed.D have authored Self Active Play, Exploring the Keys to Awakening Creativity, Empowering Self Discovery, and Inspiring Optimism in Children and Adults.

Self Active Play shares with readers the principles and experiences of 30+ years of exploring play through the Institute of Self Active Education and with hundreds of children and educators. Self Active Play delivers insights you can use in opening up the environments for play, stocking play spaces with creative open-ended materials, and on the important job of nurturing teachers and parents in the art of play.

This book proves that play is key to optimal development in early childhood and significant to all of us no matter what age.

It is available from Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736877305.

Copies signed by the author are available at www.DrDrewsBlocks.com and at the Reusable Resources Adventure Center in West Melbourne, FL

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

“As a long-time supporter of the Institute for Self-Active Education and a participant in several of its play workshops, I am very pleased to see this book.

“Champions of what I call constructive play, the authors demonstrate that processes of making, such as building freely with material objects or creating works of art, are at their best avenues of self-discovery. In that spirit, they describe the methods they have developed over the years to create welcoming play spaces that honor the free expression of players, encourage their focus on the matters at hand, promote their personal reflection and sharing, and otherwise encourage them to develop communities that respect the contributions of all.

“The authors direct themselves especially to the educators of young children. However, play advocates addressing the needs of senior citizens in assisted living centers, emotionally withdrawn persons, fragmented communities, and dysfunctional organizations also will benefit greatly from reading this book.”

Thomas S. Henricks
Author of Play and the Human Condition (2016) and Play: A Basic Pathway to the Self (2020)

“This book presents a powerful argument for the importance of play in children’s lives. But for the authors, the value of play isn’t reserved just for children. Drew and Nell’s book is rich with theory, observational data, personal reflections, and practical suggestions for anyone interested in self-active play and the ways in which it can be understood, respected, and nurtured.”

David Kuschner
Associate Professor Emeritus, Early Childhood Education, University of Cincinnati
Author of Being in time with children: Reflections on the moments between us and
As if: The importance of make-believe for children (and other human beings)

“This superb new book encourages its readers to think of play in a new way — essentially by deepening their understanding of the concept of Self Active play, and the ways in which it can enhance their inner being.  An exploration of the theory is greatly enhanced by examples of practice in the classroom and beyond, as well as illustrations of the therapeutic benefits. Nell and Drew have produced a gem.”

Fraser Brown Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor, Childhood Development and Playwork Team, Leeds Beckett University