Playful Learning

Develop Your Child's Sense of Joy and Wonder

Children are natural scientists, artists, mathematicians, authors, and scholars. From the time they are born they seek out information about the world around them in an effort to construct meaning and further their development. Children have an inherent drive to make sense of their reality, and when given an enriching environment and supportive guidance they intuitively take advantage of the prospects for learning that are before them. Parents and teachers have a unique opportunity to harness children’s curiosity and channel it into the development of habits of heart and mind that will serve them throughout their lifetime.

Playful Learning is the magic that takes place when we meld a child’s sense of joy and wonder with thoughtfully planned learning experiences. Through easy-to-implement, hands-on projects you can engage a child in fun and creative ways that encourage learning and impart the joy of discovery. In addition, discover ways to create a space conducive to learning and learn how to build a culture that celebrates learning.

“Parents, teachers, and caregivers alike will treasure this superb book! Mariah Bruehl brings the wisdom of a gifted educator and the heart of a devoted parent to each insight and activity contained within its pages. Readers will appreciate the warmth and accessibility with which she shares her ideas as much as the joyful family memories and passion for lifelong learning that are sure to follow.”–Emma Walton Hamilton, author of Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment
Mariah Bruehl has worked in the field of education for over a decade. She has an MS in Elementary Education from the Bank Street College of Education, was a classroom teacher for four years at the Dalton School, and worked in Early Childhood and Elementary Administration for six years at the Hampton Day School, the Ross School, and the Ross Institute Academy. She has taught in the classroom, trained teachers, implemented programs across many grade levels, and developed and implemented curriculum. Her educational influences include the Reggio Emilia Approach, Maria Montessori, and Howard Gardner. She is currently a stay-at-home mother of two girls and the owner of Playful Learning— a retail space and education center in Sag Harbor. Learn more at www.playfulearning.com.
“An enlightening read, this book not only contains creative and practical organizational solutions, but is full of inspiring lesson ideas for every area of learning.”—Parents & Kids Magazine


“Parents, teachers, and caregivers alike will treasure this superb book! Mariah Bruehl brings the wisdom of a gifted educator and the heart of a devoted parent to each insight and activity contained within its pages. Readers will appreciate the warmth and accessibility with which she shares her ideas as much as the joyful family memories and passion for lifelong learning that are sure to follow.”—Emma Walton Hamilton, author of Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment

“Chock-full of amazingly inventive suggestions for how to educate your child in the home. Mariah Bruehl offers a world of inspiration and engagement where literacy development becomes play and where play becomes purposeful and educational. Her knowledge of children’s development and her deeply attuned understanding of the importance of relationship-building with your child make this book a true winner.”—Pam Allyn, author of What to Read When: The Books and Stories to Read with Your Child—and All the Best Times to Read Them “A great guide for parents who want to encourage a child’s joy and wonder.”—Portland Book Review

About

Children are natural scientists, artists, mathematicians, authors, and scholars. From the time they are born they seek out information about the world around them in an effort to construct meaning and further their development. Children have an inherent drive to make sense of their reality, and when given an enriching environment and supportive guidance they intuitively take advantage of the prospects for learning that are before them. Parents and teachers have a unique opportunity to harness children’s curiosity and channel it into the development of habits of heart and mind that will serve them throughout their lifetime.

Playful Learning is the magic that takes place when we meld a child’s sense of joy and wonder with thoughtfully planned learning experiences. Through easy-to-implement, hands-on projects you can engage a child in fun and creative ways that encourage learning and impart the joy of discovery. In addition, discover ways to create a space conducive to learning and learn how to build a culture that celebrates learning.

“Parents, teachers, and caregivers alike will treasure this superb book! Mariah Bruehl brings the wisdom of a gifted educator and the heart of a devoted parent to each insight and activity contained within its pages. Readers will appreciate the warmth and accessibility with which she shares her ideas as much as the joyful family memories and passion for lifelong learning that are sure to follow.”–Emma Walton Hamilton, author of Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment

Author

Mariah Bruehl has worked in the field of education for over a decade. She has an MS in Elementary Education from the Bank Street College of Education, was a classroom teacher for four years at the Dalton School, and worked in Early Childhood and Elementary Administration for six years at the Hampton Day School, the Ross School, and the Ross Institute Academy. She has taught in the classroom, trained teachers, implemented programs across many grade levels, and developed and implemented curriculum. Her educational influences include the Reggio Emilia Approach, Maria Montessori, and Howard Gardner. She is currently a stay-at-home mother of two girls and the owner of Playful Learning— a retail space and education center in Sag Harbor. Learn more at www.playfulearning.com.

Praise

“An enlightening read, this book not only contains creative and practical organizational solutions, but is full of inspiring lesson ideas for every area of learning.”—Parents & Kids Magazine


“Parents, teachers, and caregivers alike will treasure this superb book! Mariah Bruehl brings the wisdom of a gifted educator and the heart of a devoted parent to each insight and activity contained within its pages. Readers will appreciate the warmth and accessibility with which she shares her ideas as much as the joyful family memories and passion for lifelong learning that are sure to follow.”—Emma Walton Hamilton, author of Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment

“Chock-full of amazingly inventive suggestions for how to educate your child in the home. Mariah Bruehl offers a world of inspiration and engagement where literacy development becomes play and where play becomes purposeful and educational. Her knowledge of children’s development and her deeply attuned understanding of the importance of relationship-building with your child make this book a true winner.”—Pam Allyn, author of What to Read When: The Books and Stories to Read with Your Child—and All the Best Times to Read Them “A great guide for parents who want to encourage a child’s joy and wonder.”—Portland Book Review

PRH Education High School Collections

All reading communities should contain protected time for the sake of reading. Independent reading practices emphasize the process of making meaning through reading, not an end product. The school culture (teachers, administration, etc.) should affirm this daily practice time as inherently important instructional time for all readers. (NCTE, 2019)   The Penguin Random House High

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PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

Translanguaging is a communicative practice of bilinguals and multilinguals, that is, it is a practice whereby bilinguals and multilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning (García, 2009; García, Ibarra Johnson, & Seltzer, 2017)   It is through that lens that we have partnered with teacher educators and bilingual education experts, Drs.

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PRH Education Classroom Libraries

“Books are a students’ passport to entering and actively participating in a global society with the empathy, compassion, and knowledge it takes to become the problem solvers the world needs.” –Laura Robb   Research shows that reading and literacy directly impacts students’ academic success and personal growth. To help promote the importance of daily independent

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