Principal Kyle Shaw joined in on the fun, playing a game with students at the Jacobs School during Global School Play Day on Wednesday, Feb. 5. (Photo courtesy Hull Public Schools)
HULL — Superintendent Michael Jette and Principal Kyle Shaw are pleased to share that the Jacobs School in Hull participated in Global School Play Day on Wednesday, Feb. 5, ditching structure and embracing the power of free play as a crucial component of a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development.
The Jacobs School marked the 10th annual Global School Play Day by allowing students in kindergarten through the third grade to spend the afternoon immersed in creative free play without the use of computer screens, structured games, or even adult direction.
Jacobs School students joined hundreds of thousands of others from more than 75 nations in celebrating this worldwide event, which has been observed annually since its inaugural date of Feb. 4, 2015. The initiative promotes unstructured and spontaneous play, allowing children to explore their creativity, develop problem-solving skills, and navigate social interactions independently.
“For one, we’re looking to try and create as many core memories for kids as possible — things they’ll remember forever,” said Principal Shaw. “This could be one of those things that, 10, 20, 30 years from now, kids will think back on and say, ‘Do you remember that day where we just got to have fun and play?’”
Throughout the afternoon, students engaged in various activities, from building forts out of cushions and starting impromptu games of hallway soccer to playing card games and making the rules as they went along. Others built castles out of cardboard blocks, and some created works of art, such as painting and making jewelry. A few adventurous students sent themselves gliding down the halls, riding on their stomachs on plastic dollies.
Global School Play Day was founded to counteract the increasing loss of unstructured playtime in children’s lives. It encourages schools worldwide to dedicate time for students to experience the benefits of free play, such as cultivating creative abilities and developing social skills. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a much greater reliance on digital devices in education, the event allowed for a meaningful reprieve from so much technology.
“Kids, adults — everybody is addicted to screens,” Principal Shaw said. “So we’re trying to provide fun without screens and just allow creativity. There’s literally no structure to what they do. They’re supposed to just use their creativity, build with their hands, and navigate social situations with their friends. We’re trying to just take a step back and let them figure it out.”
This was the first year that the Jacobs School participated in Global School Play Day. However, due to the event’s success, the school plans to do it again next year.
Jacobs School Social Worker Maureen Rosenplanter has seen a decline in play skills since the pandemic. This event offers a chance to rediscover free play’s impact on childhood development.
“Play is how students and kids learn best,” Rosenplanter said. “So much of their day is usually spent doing what adults tell them to do. This gives them the space for creativity, to engage in play, and to use their imagination. It’s about building social skills, navigating unstructured time, negotiating, compromising, and solving problems. We’re giving them the chance to put those skills into action.”
Aimed at public schools, private schools, and homeschool families, the annual event was established by educators Scott Bedley, his brother Tim Bedley, Eric Saibel, Oliver Schinkten, Misty Higgins, and Bethany Chaffin. They were inspired by a TEDx talk delivered by Dr. Peter Gray on “the decline of play,” its impact on proper child development, and their own observations of the diminishing opportunities for unstructured play due to the encroachment of digital devices and an overly regimented schedule of extracurricular activities.
More than 65,000 students participated in the first-ever Global School Play Day. Since then, it has continued to grow dramatically as more educators and parents become aware of the profound power of play.
“I am incredibly proud of Principal Shaw and the dedicated teachers at the Jacobs School for embracing Global School Play Day and recognizing the important role that unstructured play has in a child’s development,” said Superintendent Jette. “I applaud the commitment our teachers and staff have for fostering creativity, social interaction, and problem-solving skills. We are proud to support this initiative and to provide our students with the chance to explore, collaborate and problem-solve in a way that fosters curiosity and joy.”
For more information about Global School Play Day, visit www.globalschoolplayday.com.
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Jacobs School students were free to explore on Wednesday, Feb. 5, during Global School Play Day, which encourages creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction. (Photo courtesy Hull Public Schools)
A group of Jacobs School students enjoy hands-on activities as part of the school’s participation in the 10th annual Global School Play Day. (Photo courtesy Hull Public Schools)
Jacobs School students were free to build, create and explore on Wednesday, Feb. 5, during Global School Play Day, which encourages creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction. (Photo courtesy Hull Public Schools)
Students and teachers in kindergarten through third grade at the Jacobs School celebrated the 10th annual Global School Play Day on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The event encourages unstructured play and activities that don’t involve a computer screen, including card games with unconventional rules. (Photo courtesy Hull Public Schools)
Jacobs School students were free to explore on Wednesday, Feb. 5, during Global School Play Day, which encourages creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction. (Photo courtesy Hull Public Schools)
Students put their imaginations to work during Global School Play Day on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Jacobs School, embracing the joy and benefits of unstructured play. (Photo courtesy Hull Public Schools)
The Jacobs School joined schools worldwide in celebrating Global School Play Day on Wednesday, Feb. 5, giving students the opportunity to learn and grow through play. (Photo courtesy Hull Public Schools)
Students at the Jacobs School engage in creative unstructured play as part of Global School Play Day on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Global School Play Day is an annual event promoting the importance of free play in child development. (Photo courtesy Hull Public Schools)
Jacobs School students collaborate, build, and explore on Wednesday, Feb. 5, during Global School Play Day, which encourages creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction. (Photo courtesy Hull Public Schools)
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