Nurturing joy and play is a universal design for learning (UDL) guideline that supports multiple means of engagement. The UDL guidelines were developed by an organization called CAST. This article will explore how teachers and other educators can help learners find joy and fulfillment in their quests for knowledge.
Nurturing Joy and Play in Universal Design for Learning
Nurturing joy and play means helping learners find happiness and a sense of fun while they learn together. Enjoyment enhances engagement for learners of any age who have the chance to be more curious and creative. Moreover, joy and play are crucial for learners from marginalized backgrounds who have experienced exclusion in other learning environments, such as:
- Biases in the use of language and symbols
- Beliefs that some ways of knowing or making meaning are better than others
- Biases related to modes of expression
- Exclusionary practices
In contrast, concepts of joy from the perspectives of these marginalized communities emphasize creativity and connection to other people. For example, the idea of Black Joy focuses on:
- Freedom
- Imagination
- Community
- Love
Learners of all backgrounds should be able to access knowledge in positive and playful ways. However, learners enjoy different things and play in different ways. Therefore, many chances for joy and play should allow each learner to find some materials or activities wondrous and full of fun.
Strategies for Nurturing Joy and Play
Teachers can use many strategies for nurturing joy and play. For instance, teachers can encourage learners to:
- Explore
- Experiment
- Discover
- Use their senses and their imaginations
For example, learners can act out, or create artistic representations of:
- Scenes from a novel or play
- Steps in an equation or positions on a graph
- The movement of atoms, molecules, or elements
- Historical events
Similarly, teachers can include storytelling in assignments, such as asking students to compose:
- An alternate ending to a novel
- A story explaining the data points on a chart or graph
- Creative nonfiction about a scientist making a discovery
- Journals about an imaginary person in a different time
In addition, teachers can relocate some lessons outside and promote outdoor play.
Furthermore, teachers can encourage learners to celebrate aspects of their identities or communities. For example, many people who are Deaf take pride in Deaf culture, including fluency in Sign languages. Learners with a variety of identities or cultural backgrounds can share their joy in belonging to communities with rich customs and heritages.
Finally, teachers can create environments where learners feel proud of their progress. For example, space for learners to display work they are proud of reminds them of their joy and allows classmates to take joy in each other’s creation.