Play is a powerful pedagogical tool that promotes social-emotional development, executive functioning, creativity, and problem-solving skills (Gray, 2013; Pellegrini, 2009). When intentionally designed, play supports diversity and inclusion by providing multiple access points to engage learners of varying abilities, backgrounds, and strengths. Engaging in collaborative play fosters empathy, tolerance, and a sense of joy in learning, making it a highly effective strategy for educators seeking to create inclusive and learner-centered environments (Misseyanni et al., 2018).

This interactive workshop is designed for educators and education professionals who wish to incorporate playful, experiential approaches into their classrooms. Led by faculty and staff from St. Mary’s University, in Calgary, Alberta Canada, the session draws on a first-year education course where collaborative planning and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles were applied to create inclusive, engaging learning experiences (CAST, 2024). Participants will engage in a series of play-based activities and centers that demonstrate strategies for promoting problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration across K–12 classrooms.

Learning Objectives: Participants will:
Apply play-based strategies to foster social-emotional learning and collaboration.
Design differentiated play activities that align with a wide range of curricular outcomes.
Integrate principles of Universal Design for Learning to support playful diversity.
Reflect on the connections between play, inclusivity, and student engagement.
Workshop Structure: The session includes hands-on play centers, collaborative problem-solving tasks, reflection discussions, and practical demonstration of K-12 classroom strategies.
Learning Resources: Participants will receive slides, activity guides, and curated reading lists to support ongoing implementation of play-based learning.

Authors:
Harrison Campbell, St. Mary's University, Canada
Rachel Gustafson, St. Mary's University, Canada
Trisa Soroski, St. Mary's University, Canada

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Harrison Campbell is currently an Assistant Professor of Literacy Education at St. Mary's University in Calgary, Alberta Canada.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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