Lisa Murphy

The host of the internationally popular early childhood podcast “That Early Childhood Nerd” provides a framework for understanding the importance of free play. Free play is disappearing from the lives of too many young children, leaving them vulnerable to negative effects on their physical and mental health, social and emotional growth, and academic development. Heather Bernt-Santy makes a powerful, research-based case for taking children’s right to play seriously. She helps readers understand and resist the pressures and cultural influences that set up barriers to free play. Early care and education practitioners will learn how to see, support, and interpret play to those who are skeptical or unsure of play’s benefits. Each chapter includes a scenario that offers readers the opportunity to closely observe children’s play through the lens of Chris Athey’s theory of schema play. This framework will help educators advocate for play by identifying its contributions to children’s overall development. Book Features: Introduces Chris Athey’s theory of schema play and explores eight play schemas, including relevant research and child play scenarios. Offers guidance for explaining the importance of play to a variety of stakeholders, including colleagues, families, program administrators, and policymakers. Provides a framework to help educators identify learning in children’s play and to extend the learning they see with young children (from birth to 5 years old). Explores how free play supports school readiness, brain development, social-emotional development, literacy development, and math and science learning.

The host of the internationally popular early childhood podcast “That Early Childhood Nerd” provides a framework for understanding the importance of free play. Free play is disappearing from the lives of too many young children, leaving them vulnerable to negative effects on their physical and mental health, social and emotional growth, and academic development. Heather Bernt-Santy makes a powerful, research-based case for taking children’s right to play seriously. She helps readers understand and resist the pressures and cultural influences that set up barriers to free play. Early care and education practitioners will learn how to see, support, and interpret play to those who are skeptical or unsure of play’s benefits. Each chapter includes a scenario that offers readers the opportunity to closely observe children’s play through the lens of Chris Athey’s theory of schema play. This framework will help educators advocate for play by identifying its contributions to children’s overall development. Book Features: Introduces Chris Athey’s theory of schema play and explores eight play schemas, including relevant research and child play scenarios. Offers guidance for explaining the importance of play to a variety of stakeholders, including colleagues, families, program administrators, and policymakers. Provides a framework to help educators identify learning in children’s play and to extend the learning they see with young children (from birth to 5 years old). Explores how free play supports school readiness, brain development, social-emotional development, literacy development, and math and science learning.

Adam himself interviews the dead famous who made names for themselves in history by creating the greatest and most ground-breaking works of fiction ever - many you'll have heard of, and many you should have heard of! And then discover their most famous stories - as told in the inimitable Corpse Talk style! Let William Shakespeare keep you on the edge of your seat with Macbeth, Charles Dickens thrill you in Great Expectations, and Mary Shelley send shivers up your spine in Frankenstein. Learn about the greatest stories ever told, and the people who made them up!

Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered provides an in-depth exploration of the author’s approach to working with children. Lisa Murphy outlines nine characteristics programs need to build an environment that’s child-centered, where play, developmentally appropriate practice, and academic standards all come together under one roof.Nine characteristics of a child-centered environment: Children are provided long periods of uninterrupted free time to explore their environment Children are provided lots of time outdoors Children are able to explore the environment with few restrictions Adults control the environment, not the children Adults serve as facilitators within the space Adults articulate the intention behind their words and actions Adults are familiar with current research and the key contributions of historical child development theorists Adults are aware of the importance of keeping it real Children are provided time and opportunity to create, move, sing, discuss, observe, read, and play every day Using true-to-life examples, anecdotes, and her signature conversational style, this book presents and explores the true identifying characteristics of a hands-on, play-based, child-centered environment.*Finalist in the Midwest Book Awards 2020 (Education category)

How did Gandhi use love to end an empire? How did an accident help Frida Kahlo create great art? What dangerous idea inspired Toussaint Louverture's fight for freedom? Uncover all this and more in Corpse Talk, the hilarious and mind-expanding chat show that brings the dead famous to life!

The third amazing thematic Corpse Talk book - all about the most astonishing rulers from history ever! Adam Murphy interviews the high-and-mighty men and women who changed the world - getting their stories straight from the corpses' mouths! Reading Corpse Talk: Queens and Kings is like having history turned upside-down! It guarantees laughs, surprises, and a whole host of facts told to you by the rulers from all over the world, themselves. From Cleopatra to Queen Vic to Moctezuma, these are some royals with stunning tales to tell . . .

Excite young learners with this collection of more than 80 simple science experiments that promote learning and call for materials that are likely already in your classroom or kitchen. Each fun activity includes simple instructions and a clear explanation of the experiment—and many include variations and helpful hints.

The first awesome thematic Corpse Talk book - all about the most amazing scientists from history ever! Adam Murphy interviews the dead famous scientists who changed the world - getting their stories straight from the corpses' mouths! Reading Corpse Talk: Ground-Breaking Scientists is like having history injected into your brain! It guarantees laughs, surprises, and a whole host of the most astonishing achievements you'll ever discover. Don't miss out on the biggest thing to hit history since Horrible Histories!

Learn why school readiness is child’s play through research and stories for supporting development with fun activities.Discover why playing is school readiness with this updated guide. Timely research and new stories highlight how play is vital to the social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual development of children. Learn the seven meaningful experiences we should provide children with every day and why they are so important.

Find more than 65 hands-on art, science, and outside play activity ideas for creating engaging environments both at home and at school. If you are just beginning your Ooey Gooey® journey, this is a great book to read. It includes an informational overview of how it all started and has lots of activities to get your gooey juices flowing. The Ooey Gooey® Handbook is a must read for anyone who spends time with children.