I have my Masters from Wheelock College in Early Care and Education and live in Medfield, MA with my husband and three children. I have run Let Children Play for 4 years and am now focusing my efforts on building a community based on outdoor play through writing and presentations. In addition I will continue to teach at Sprouts Farm and Forest Learning.

I have been working with children and families for over 20 years! I have dedicated my life to promoting play as a critical component of childhood. Today, children’s lives are overly structured and lack real life experiences that promote independence and agency over the lives. Through observations and story I am invested in #makingplayvisible for all. I was trained in the Reggio Emilia approach from the University of Vermont. During that time I learned how to step back and observe children’s play experiences. Through my writing I hope to convey the necessary investment in a “True Childhood”. One with mixed ages, adventure and community.

My views on play were shaped by my upbringing. I grew up in RI by the ocean and spent many summer days on the beach with my family and friends. I also spent a lot of time playing outside in our neighborhood where there were lots of kids to play with! As I got older I was a competitive gymnast. Play opportunities became scarce as my training intensified and the lack of freedom to play became a severe problem for me.

Today intense sports schedules have become the norm for many children. I have a deep understanding of both worlds—the discipline of athletics and the value of play as a form of learning and source of joy—and I believe there can be a happy medium.