Play as a Practice: Building Resilience in Early Childhood Education

Early childhood educators spend their days creating environments where children can learn, grow, connect, and play—but what happens when the adults doing that work are running on empty?

In this interactive, science-informed session, participants will explore play as a practical tool for educator resilience, motivation, and sustainable well-being. Rather than treating play as frivolous, childish, or one more thing to squeeze into an already-full day, we’ll examine how playfulness—the ability to reframe an experience as more interesting, stimulating, or enjoyable—can help us navigate the very real demands of caring for and educating others.

Participants will explore the relationship between stress, flow, recovery, and play; reflect on their own patterns of energy and burnout; and experiment with low-lift playful strategies that can be adapted to different personalities, needs, and work environments. Participation is invitation-based, with multiple ways to engage throughout the session.

This isn't about asking educators to become better at…