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Resistance in the classroom isn’t always about behaviour. Often, it’s about ownership.
When students feel directed all day, where to sit, what to write, and how to respond, it’s natural for motivation to dip.
Engagement drops.
Frustration rises.
What looks like defiance can simply be a need for autonomy.
Choice-based play shifts that dynamic.
When students are offered meaningful options on how to approach a task, what role to take, and which challenge to try first, they lean in.
Regulation improves. Effort increases. Not because they were forced to comply, but because they were invited to participate.
Research around autonomy tells us that when children feel a sense of control, behaviour becomes more self-directed and resilient.
Less power struggle.
More ownership.
This week, we’re exploring how small moments of choice in play reduce resistance and create classrooms that feel calmer, more cooperative, and more connected. Let's dive in!
Daily Mission Cards
“Good job” doesn’t always land. It’s easy for kids to tune out when praise feels empty or generic. But descriptive encouragement, like noticing effort, reflecting emotions, or prompting self-evaluation, turns small actions into moments of agency and pride.
The Superhero Card gives students (or children at home) “extreme power” to make the world a little brighter.
Ask them: Which superpowers will you use today to make someone smile or laugh?
Let them reflect on how their choices, attention, or creativity impact others. It’s empowering, reinforcing autonomy while strengthening empathy and social skills.
Explore the full set of Kindness & Happiness Mission Cards to turn everyday moments into meaningful, resistance-free learning!
Auction Hunters – Classroom
Children push back when they feel their choices are limited, from the toys they use to the order of activities in class. Offering bounded choices gives them ownership without losing structure and engagement in the process.
That’s exactly what Auction Hunters – Classroom does.
How to play: Students work in teams to bid tokens on covered containers filled with mystery items, say sports equipment, classroom supplies, or surprises! Once all containers are “sold,” teams use their haul to design a game or lesson, then peer-teach it to the class.
Teams budget resources and adapt to unexpected outcomes, learning, planning, negotiation, and collaboration in real time.
Another option, and one we LOVE, is that each group writes up their game, and for the rest of the week, one of the teams must use their activity to start the day.
This is a great way to give students ownership of their own learning in a very fun, challenging way.
If you want more games like this embedded in your classroom's learning, explore The School of Play, where play-based experiences nurture empathy, teamwork, and emotional literacy throughout the school year!
Richard Shorter from of Non-Perfect Dad
Being a parent or supporting children as an educator comes with worry: "Am I doing this right?" Feeling unsure, especially when trying to guide a character, can create tension at home or on the field.
Richard Shorter’s “Non-Perfect Dad” comes from decades of experience supporting families, sports clubs, and schools. Richard shows how to turn everyday opportunities from play to sport into moments that build character, confidence, and connection.
He doesn’t claim perfection, but teaches practical ways to help children grow through structured guidance, encouragement, and reflection.
If you’re a parent navigating energetic children or an educator looking to partner with families effectively, this course will help you with strategies grounded in real-world experience and evidence-informed practice.
Join Richard’s course on Jugar Life and learn how to create positive, confidence-building experiences that really stick!
Play-Based Well-being at McKinnon Secondary College
We had the absolute joy of working with the staff at McKinnon Secondary College for a full PD session, and they showed up in the best way possible.
What unfolded went far beyond a workshop. Seeing educators experiment, take risks, and connect with each other was a powerful moment. It’s no wonder that when adults embrace play, classrooms become more dynamic and students feel the shift, too.
We’re also thrilled to partner with McKinnon this year in a La Trobe University research study, exploring how our play-based well-being curriculum impacts secondary schools.
Thank you to the team for showing how transformative play can be. The future is playful.
Join us on this global journey of joy and connection! If you want to bring The School of Play to your community, fill out the form here ➡
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