Children's play is school readiness

This fully revised third edition of the best-selling Lisa Murphy on Play includes timely research and new stories that highlight how play is vital to the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development of children.

The HOUSE of academics is supported by a FOUNDATION of play. The foundation consists of all the BRICKS that get added when children have time each day to do the Seven Things: create, move, sing, discuss, observe, read, and play. Strong academic houses require sturdy, strong foundations. Lisa Murphy on Play will show you that play is enough and will give you the confidence needed to resist the pressure to build houses where there are no foundations.

Play provides the foundation that later learning will be built on. Let’s make it a strong one.

Age focus 0-8. 304 pages
AVAILABLE OCTOBER 2026

REVIEWS

"Lisa Murphy on Play is the book to share with anyone who dismisses early educators as people who “just play with kids all day.” Lisa’s voice deserves to be heard by your program leader, school board, and anxious parents. Lisa’s storytelling offers us both guidance and hard truths. Her Seven Things framework is simple enough to remember, powerful enough to transform practice, and honest enough to challenge even the most experienced educators among us. You finish the book feeling seen, supported, and skilled. If you work with children, this book will inspire you—and stay with you." —Valora Washinton, PhD, CEO, The CAYL Institute.

"Rarely do I read a book that has such radical good sense as Lisa Murphy on Play. A book that says: Sing! Move! Play! Read! From craptivities to overdocumenting, Lisa sees our struggles and clears the air, reminding us of the true essence of playful learning. This is the book every child would like to place in our hands." —Heather Shumaker, author of It's OK Not to Share

"I am in awe! Lisa Murphy leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the importance of play in children's development. She is knowledgeable, thorough, and backed?by so much research and literature. In addition she is fun to read, and tells important stories of her own experiences as a teacher and of teachers and children, that connect us altogether as we strive to improve the lives of young children. I love this book!" —Tamar Jacobson, author and early childhood development and education consultant

"Lisa Murphy on Play is both a joyful invitation and a courageous call to protect childhood. With warmth, wisdom, and research, Lisa reminds us that play is not what children do after learning. Play is how children build the foundation for learning. The Seven Things give educators a practical and memorable way to create spaces where children can move, create, wonder, connect, and grow. This updated edition belongs in the hands of every early childhood educator committed to giving children what they need the most: time, freedom, and opportunity to play." —Dr. Nefertiti Poyner, Founder and CEO, Mighty Works Education Group

"Lisa’s passionate, engaging book will encourage and bolster every educator who knows how important play is for every young child. The many wonderful stories from her career invite you in, but her insights take you far beyond play itself to so many areas every teacher needs to know about—how to approach photos and documentation, how to think about kindergarten readiness, how to read aloud to children, and so much more." —Jarrod Green, author of I'm Okay!

"If you care about healthy children, Lisa Murphy has continued her masterful work about playful learning with a child centered book for the ages that is alive, fun, real, and accessible, a treasure chest of practical examples, resources, stories, and connections to issues, all within an easily understood framework for success and immediate application. This fun book bridges the gap between play theory and playful learning. PLAY ON!" —Dr. Bill Michaelis, Professor Emeritus, San Francisco State University, director/owner of Chirdren-Together.net, and coauthor of Playful Teaching Practices

"Holy moly—what an inspiration! Lisa Murphy makes the importance of play so clear, so simple, and SO FUN. Her story is inspiring, her personality shines through every page, and her message makes perfect sense: play isn’t separate from learning—it is the foundation that makes learning possible. This may be the most fun I’ve ever had reading a textbook!" —Adam Kroloff, author, actor, puppeteer