ShiftED Podcast #56 • In Conversation with Shannon Merenstein of The Creativity Project

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Shannon Merenstein takes us on a fascinating journey through the transformative power of creativity and play in childhood education. Drawing from her rich background as an artist, educator, founder of Hatch Partners in Play, and co-author of "Collage Workshop for Kids," Shannon dismantles the myth that creativity is an innate gift rather than a muscle requiring regular exercise.
What happens when we create spaces where children direct their own learning experiences? The results are nothing short of remarkable. Shannon shares stories from her PlayLab initiative, where veteran teachers were initially uncertain about stepping back from their traditional roles. They discovered something profound—children previously struggling in structured academic settings often thrive when given the freedom to engage in open-ended play. "Play gives children an opportunity to show their classroom community the best version of themselves," Shannon explains, highlighting how these experiences reveal dimensions of children's capabilities that remain hidden during traditional instruction.
The conversation explores how play naturally integrates academic concepts as children create restaurant menus with pricing, write notes to friends, or test mathematical concepts through building. Shannon describes her innovative "play journaling" practice, where children reflect on their play experiences through non-assessed writing—creating a powerful longitudinal study of each child's growth. Perhaps most compelling for administrators and education stakeholders, Shannon shares evidence that children who engage in regular open-ended play with materials like magnetic tiles and blocks consistently outperform their peers on geometry assessments.
Ready to transform your teaching or parenting approach? Listen to discover how creating space for creativity and play might be the most important gift you can offer the children in your life. The future of education isn't about abandoning academics—it's about finding the beautiful intersection where play enhances learning in ways traditional instruction alone cannot achieve.

Chapters

1. ShiftED Podcast #56 • In Conversation with Shannon Merenstein of The Creativity Project (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Shannon Merenstein (00:00:12)

3. Shannon's Creative Journey (00:01:35)

4. Defining Creativity as a Muscle (00:07:41)

5. Understanding Open-Ended Play (00:09:27)

6. Teacher's Role in Play-Based Learning (00:13:28)

7. Building a Case for Play (00:18:10)

8. Play Journaling and Student Growth (00:22:55)

9. Closing Thoughts and Appreciation (00:28:52)