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During one of our recent workshops, a staff member shared something that stuck with us long after the session ended:
“I came here thinking my students needed this… but I think I needed it even more!”
It revealed something we rarely say out loud: that while we work so hard to support our students' wellbeing, we had neglected our own.
The stigma runs deep. Somewhere along the way, we were taught that play is something we outgrow or, worse, a sign of immaturity.
But the reality is, our brains never stop needing it. Play interrupts stress cycles, lifts moods, and reminds us we're more than the roles we perform. It allows adults in general to move without purpose or pressure.
This week, we're breaking the stigma and reclaiming play as a tool for your mental health. Not a luxury, but a lifeline. Let's begin!
Full-Day Teacher Play FunShop
For educators, the school has become a place of constant output. What's missing is a space to reset and rediscover the joy of teaching.
That's exactly what the Full-Day Teacher Play FunShop is for.
This high-energy, hands-on professional learning experience gives you a whole day to step out of the daily grind and into play to reignite your enthusiasm and equip you with practical, science-backed strategies to create thriving, joyful classrooms.
What you’ll get
- A full day of high-impact learning
- A complete set of resources to take back to your school
- A 12-month membership to The School of Play's online portal
When: 14 November 2025 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: UWCSEA East Campus – Singapore
See full details and register here!
Daily Mission Cards
As a busy adult, play can feel impossible... unless you sneak it into the work you’re already doing.
Today's mission is simple: write a short positive note (“You’ve got this!” / “Your energy lifts the room”) and leave it on a colleague’s desk. That's it.
To make it fun, treat it like a game: try leaving one each day this week and see if anyone figures out who the secret encourager is!
Tiny bursts of play like this break up routine and remind everyone that the staffroom can be a place of joy too.
If you want more playful challenges to brighten your days, grab your own Kindness & Happiness Mission Deck!
The more joy you share, the more it bounces back to you!
Head, Shoulder, Knees, Toe Add Up
Between classes and endless to-do lists, it can feel like all work, no real connection. That isolation chips away at morale over time.
This high-energy icebreaker is a fun way to break that cycle. It sparks interaction and lifts the mood in minutes.
Here's how it works: Pair up and stand back-to-back. On “3, 2, 1,” turn to face each other and choose one of four gestures — head, shoulders, knees, or toes. If you both match, you each score a point, celebrate, and then find a new partner.
Try it at your next staff meeting! It only takes a few minutes to remind everyone you’re more than just co-workers passing by.
Sign up HERE for more activities like this and start sprinkling joy around the staffroom!
Play as Survival
Stress is everywhere in education, and the constant mental load can leave you running on empty.
In this powerful interactive webinar, Professor Alison James will help you rediscover play as more than “fun” but as a vital tool for emotional balance and creative renewal. Drawing on her work as a global LEGO® Serious Play instructor, Alison will guide you to explore where, why, and how play can be your ally in navigating hard days.
What you’ll need:
- A handful of building bricks (LEGO or anything stackable)
- A piece of paper and a pen
Already signed up? Watch the webinar here to discover joyful ways to boost your energy and keep showing up at your best!
Closing the Charter Ambassadors Summit
I had the absolute honour of closing the Charter Ambassadors Summit with a keynote at the incredible Adelaide Zoo.
A huge thank you to the South Australian Government for the opportunity to fly over and share the power of play, how it supports mental and physical well-being, and how leading through play creates safe spaces.
An inspiring day with over 260 passionate attendees, what a privilege to wrap up such a special event on a high note!
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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