Gryphon House Releases Play Today

Book offers creative ideas for dramatic play in early childhood
classrooms

LEWISVILLE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Playtime is critical brain-building time, according to the new Gryphon
House book Play
Today: Building the Young Brain through Creative Expression, by Ann
Barbour, PhD. The book, which explains the brain research behind
play-based learning, offers dozens of easy scenarios for open-ended
explorations in preschool classrooms.

Beginning with the definition of dramatic play and its impact on
cognitive, physical, language and social-emotional development, Play
Today shows readers how to bring the strategies to life. The book
provides ideas that are adaptable for indoor and outdoor play, using
simple props and donated items. The appendixes offer recommended
children’s books, recipes for art materials, and online resources to
extend learning.

“The concept of play as central to a child’s development is a hot topic,
but we forget that the first preschool and kindergarten programs were
actually based on learning through play,” Barbour said. “Now, we have
even more research that links free play with healthy development in
children, and how it facilitates learning.”

Barbour has previously authored the book Prop
Box Play: 50 Themes to Inspire Dramatic Play, also published by Gryphon
House, Inc., the leading publisher of educational resources for
teachers. Play Today will be released in April 2016 but is
available for pre-order now.

To request a free excerpt or e-galley copy, please contact anna@ghbooks.com

Play Today: Building the Young Brain through Creative Expression;
IBSN 978-0-87659-661-6; 144 pp.; PB; $14.95.

About the Author

Ann
Barbour, PhD, is a professor emerita of early childhood education at
California State University, Los Angeles. She has played an active role
in education for more than 30 years. She is content advisor for A
Place of Our Own/Los Niños en Su Casa, a television series for
parents and caregivers of children from birth to five, broadcast
throughout California.

About Gryphon House, Inc.

Gryphon
House, Inc., is an award-winning publisher of resource books for
parents and teachers of children from birth through age eight.
Developmentally appropriate and easy to use, Gryphon House books provide
parents and teachers with the tools they need to bring the joy of
learning to young children. To learn more, or to check out the entire
collection, visit www.gryphonhouse.com.

Contacts

Gryphon House, Inc.
Anna Wilmoth, 336-712-3480
anna@ghbooks.com