Actions of Play

In this thoughtful episode of Actions of Play, Heather Jackson sits down with Chaylene Clarke, kindergarten educator and creator of The Unhurried Classroom, to explore what happens when we slow down enough to truly notice children. Together, they discuss unhurried, uninterrupted play, revisiting experiences, documentation, and the importance of resisting the constant pressure to rush children from...

In this episode of Actions of Play , Heather Jackson welcomes Dr. Louisa Penfold, Professor and Chair of Arts and Learning at Harvard Graduate School of Education, researcher, author, and internationally recognized advocate for children's creativity and play. Drawing on her work across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Louisa shares how museums, schools, artists, educators,...

In this episode of Actions of Play , host Heather Jackson sits down with pedagogical leader, consultant, and registered early childhood educator Jessica Karpathios to explore what curriculum building can look like when relationships, curiosity, and critical thinking are at the centre. Drawing from her experiences working internationally, leading pedagogical change within a nature-based program, an...

Keri Best's path from placement student to director at The Sunflower School in Ontario didn't happen by accident. It was built on a clear philosophy: give children power, build community, and never stop learning. In this episode, she traces her 12-year journey at The Sunflower School, sharing the pivotal moments, mindset shifts, and daily practices that shaped her into the leader she is to...

What if "program planning" is the very thing holding your practice back? Rosalba from Acorn Collaborative makes a compelling case for retiring the term altogether and replacing it with something far more intentional: designing curriculum that genuinely honours children's curiosity, culture, and agency. It's a small word swap with enormous implications. This conversation digs into...

What if your planning meetings could be the most meaningful hour of your week? At Sunflower School, two early childhood Directors, Sarah and Keri   have moved away from reactive, interest-led planning toward something deeper. A curriculum anchored in big, purposeful questions like "How can toddlers build community?" or "How do we empower children to lead their own learning?" Th...

What happens when educators intentionally slow down and make space for children’s voices to truly matter? In this episode of Actions of Play, Heather Jackson sits down with Crystal and Annika from Sunflower School to explore a deeply meaningful preschool investigation centered around one guiding question: How can we create spaces and moments where children feel their voices are truly heard, valued...

In this episode of Actions of Play, Heather Jackson is joined by Sarah and Michelle from Sunflower School to explore a toddler project that began with one simple idea: creating a “nest” of comfort, belonging, and connection for a brand-new classroom community. What started as a gentle transition project quickly evolved into a rich child-led investigation centered around ramps, rolling, movement, s...

In this episode of Actions of Play, Heather Jackson sits down with McKenna and Makayla from Sunflower School to explore a powerful year-long toddler investigation built around one simple question: How can toddlers build community? From mystery readers and family nights to community blocks, shared mailboxes, and toddler-led connections, this conversation highlights what becomes possible when educat...

What happens when you stop fighting boys' energy and start designing around it? Kaitlyn and Sara did exactly that. They turned their all-boys toddler classroom into a space built for big-body movement, loose parts play, and genuine connection. The result? Less friction, more curiosity, and a room where children actually thrived. In this episode, they share how Reggio-inspired principles, anima...

In this very first episode of Actions of Play, host Heather Jackson is joined by co-author Lisa to share the story behind their book Actions of Play and their shared passion for play schemas. They reflect on collaborating across countries, co-authoring entirely over Zoom, and how their aligned values in play-based, inquiry-driven learning shaped their work. The conversation explores what play sche...

In this debut episode of  Actions of Play , host Heather Jackson —an early childhood educator with over 40 years of experience—invites you into the inspiring world of play-based learning through a Reggio Emilia approach lens. Broadcasting from the Reggio-inspired Sunflower School in Orangeville, Ontario, Heather shares the story of her journey—from her first introduction to Reggio-inspired practic...