This is another favorite of mine. Did anyone else play freeze tag growing up? If yes, you will see some similarities. If no, I invite you to try this with your kids or even as a grown-up party game. No running. No noise. Just imagination and the ability to hold very still. This one is part improv, part sculpture, part storytelling. It works in a living room. It works in a small apartment. It works when everyone’s tired and a little cranky from the heat. You’ll need: - People (2 or more) - A storyteller (takes turns) Optional: index cards with random words written on them How to play: 1. The storyteller narrates a scene out loud slowly describing what’s happening. 2. Everyone else acts it out in slow motion or freeze frames. No talking. 3. When the storyteller says “FREEZE,” everyone holds their position. 4. The storyteller picks someone and asks: “What are you doing right now?” 5. That person explains their character’s action in one sentence. 6. Continue the story from there. 7. Rotate the storyteller role. Variations by age: 🐣 Ages 3–6: Keep the story simple and familiar, “You’re in a jungle. There’s a big animal coming. FREEZE.” Let them wiggle. Let them giggle. That counts. 🔍 Ages 7–12: Add the word cards. The storyteller must work at least one random word into the story every two minutes. The actors have to incorporate it somehow. 🧠 Teens: Give teens the storyteller role first and challenge them to build a plot twist into the scene without announcing it. The actors have to adapt in real time. Share in the comments: What’s the wildest freeze frame your family ended up in?

Our community is growing and we have some talented and dedicated community owners here. Today is your day to tell us a little bit more. 🦉Who are you and who do your serve? 🔂 In 1 or 2 sentences, describe your community. 🔗 Drop a link to your about page. Comment on 1 or 2 communities that interest you. Let’s support each other and build new relationships. If I missed your name, it’s not personal, with over 80 members, I’m not sure who has a community🤫 @Janell Bitton @Allan R. @Blue Mojo @Brenda Chilstrom @Celia Kibler @Daniel Cavaretta @Des Cooke @Elizabeth Houston @Evelene Sterling @Michelle Fuentes @Gus Gray @Amy Grantham @Jose Guerra @Heather Wilson @Katya McEwen @Lisa Vanderveen @Maryna Tempalova @Max Orlewicz @Mayelice Castro @Natasha Bryant @Paul Wren @Ruben Plasmeijer @Ramona Zihlke @Rene Kerkdyk @Roslyn Hill @Tim Tindle @Wendy Lee-Chu @Yu-Tzu Huang

I was reading this article about teenage brain development this morning and how the teen pruning process I discussed in the playful shift episode might not be entirely accurate. For those of you working in this area, I’d love your thoughts. Article link attached. @Des Cooke @Adam Cyster @Lisa Vanderveen @Celia Kibler https://scitechdaily.com/new-brain-discovery-challenges-long-held-theory-of-teenage-brain-development/

I'm working on the classroom content but for those who missed today's session, here's the recording. I'm babysitting today so I'll be offline most of the day. Let's start the conversation- what questions do you have about the brain and play? What tips do you have? Where do we need to go deeper?

In an achievement-driven world, we often use questions to "check for understanding." We ask things we already know the answer to ("What color is that? How many blocks are there?") just to see if our kids know it, too. This puts them in the "hot seat" and reinforces the idea that their value is tied to being "correct." But the most powerful questions are the ones where you don’t know the answer. When we ask curiosity-led questions, we move from being a judge to being a co-explorer. This creates a safe space for "The Muck" that messy middle ground where ideas are formed and mattering is felt. By changing how we ask, we give our children the freedom to wonder out loud. Your challenge today is to go the entire day without asking a "closed" question (one that can be answered with a simple 'Yes,' 'No,' or a single fact). Your Tool: "Notice & Wonder" If you get stuck, use these two simple sentence starters: 1. "I noticed that..." (Observation) 2. "I wonder..." (Curiosity) The Special Twist: The "Three-Second Rule" After you ask a question, count to three in your head before saying anything else. This "wait time" gives your child’s brain the space to move from performance-panic to creative thought. Tips for Tailoring Your Questions by Age: Ages 3–5 (Sensory Search): Connect their bodies to the moment. Example: "I noticed the mud feels squishy today. I wonder what would happen if we added more water?" Ages 6–8 (Logic Bridge): Explore how things work without the pressure of being right. Example: "I noticed the tower fell toward the left. I wonder what we could put on the right side to balance it out?" Ages 9–11 (Perspective Pivot): Building empathy and systems thinking. Example: "I noticed that character seemed really quiet in that scene. I wonder what they were thinking that they didn't say out loud?" Ages 12–14 (Agency Anchor): Giving them the "steering wheel." Example: "I noticed you have a lot on your plate this week. I wonder what part of the schedule feels the heaviest to you right now?"