The Lost Art of Play Part 1: Why Joy is the Secret to Academic Rigor

In this episode, we sit down with Head of School Dr. Ryan Kimmet to tackle a growing crisis in modern education: the disappearance of play. While many schools view play as a luxury for the early years, The Harley School treats it as a critical engine for learning from Nursery through Grade 12. Dr. Kimmet dives into the science and strategy behind "protecting the sandbox." We discuss: Why Harley maintains Middle School recess when most schools phase it out. How "playful" physics labs lead to deeper conceptual understanding than traditional lectures. How a culture of play builds the "competitive edge" Harley graduates need for the future of work. The psychological link between unstructured time and navigating the "growing pains" of adolescence. Join us for a deep dive into why "seat time" isn't the same as "learning time," and how protecting the art of play creates students who aren't just high achievers, but creative thinkers ready to iterate and innovate.

You can listen to The Lost Art of Play Part 1: Why Joy is the Secret to Academic Rigor online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

The Lost Art of Play Part 1: Why Joy is the Secret to Academic Rigor is an episode from Joy In Learning, The Harley School's Podcast.

This episode is 11:58 long.

This episode was published on Mar 3, 2026.

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