Suzanne Axelsson
@theplayactivist.bsky.social
The Original Learning Approach is a play responsive pedagogy rooted in social justice
Play activist - because if play flows the children will thrive.
Some words that feel important to me
Collective autonomy, decolonisation, wonder, curiosity, joy...
Play activist - because if play flows the children will thrive.
Some words that feel important to me
Collective autonomy, decolonisation, wonder, curiosity, joy...
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
A lovely read about junkology from my friend and collegue @theplayactivist.bsky.social
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com/p/the-junkol...
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com/p/the-junkol...
The Junkologist
understanding junkology
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com
September 8, 2025 at 7:09 PM
A lovely read about junkology from my friend and collegue @theplayactivist.bsky.social
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com/p/the-junkol...
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com/p/the-junkol...
When is the line crossed?
Because world leaders seem to be ignoring everything that is blatantly obvious about what is really going on here from the start...
Because world leaders seem to be ignoring everything that is blatantly obvious about what is really going on here from the start...
Israel’s parliament has approved a symbolic measure calling for the annexation of the occupied West Bank. Annexing occupied land is illegal under international law.
July 24, 2025 at 10:05 AM
When is the line crossed?
Because world leaders seem to be ignoring everything that is blatantly obvious about what is really going on here from the start...
Because world leaders seem to be ignoring everything that is blatantly obvious about what is really going on here from the start...
Play is play has become a blogpost... because there was more room to be able to articulate the complexity... of course even one blogpost cannot capture everything...
July 14, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Play is play has become a blogpost... because there was more room to be able to articulate the complexity... of course even one blogpost cannot capture everything...
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
At least 73 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since dawn, including 33 aid seekers, according to medical sources.
‘Horrific scenes’ in Gaza as Israel kills dozens of aid seekers
At least 73 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since dawn, including 33 aid seekers, according to medical sources.
bit.ly
July 3, 2025 at 8:30 AM
At least 73 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since dawn, including 33 aid seekers, according to medical sources.
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
Observation suggests that the opposite of “woke” is selfish, cruel and stupid.
July 2, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Observation suggests that the opposite of “woke” is selfish, cruel and stupid.
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
School grounds are already feeling the effects of our rapidly changing climate 🌡️
Find out how nature rich outdoor spaces bolster climate resilience, encourage biodiversity, and promote climate action — and why school grounds must be part of the climate change solution 👇 ltl.org.uk/news/why-sch...
Find out how nature rich outdoor spaces bolster climate resilience, encourage biodiversity, and promote climate action — and why school grounds must be part of the climate change solution 👇 ltl.org.uk/news/why-sch...
Why school grounds must be part of the climate change solution - Learning through Landscapes
Find out how school grounds can bolster climate resilience, encourage biodiversity, and promote climate action through learning and play in nature rich environments.
ltl.org.uk
July 2, 2025 at 11:27 AM
School grounds are already feeling the effects of our rapidly changing climate 🌡️
Find out how nature rich outdoor spaces bolster climate resilience, encourage biodiversity, and promote climate action — and why school grounds must be part of the climate change solution 👇 ltl.org.uk/news/why-sch...
Find out how nature rich outdoor spaces bolster climate resilience, encourage biodiversity, and promote climate action — and why school grounds must be part of the climate change solution 👇 ltl.org.uk/news/why-sch...
Another national advisor here feeling honoured to be part of such an important movement to empower educators to ensure children's rights
It is an honor to serve as a national advisor for an organization like Defending the Early Years. Their work is so important. If you are not already registered for their FREE Summer Institute, it’s not too late!
dey.org/summer-insti...
dey.org/summer-insti...
Defending the Early Years - The Summer Institute
An annual gathering of early childhood advocates, change makers and educators gather to ensure all children have the right to play in the early years.
dey.org
June 21, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Another national advisor here feeling honoured to be part of such an important movement to empower educators to ensure children's rights
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
Just some creepy armed Mad Max guys trying to gain entry to Dodgers Stadium.
ICE says it wasn’t them. DHS says they were Border Patrol. But honestly who the hell knows? They’ve given permission for any psycho to put on a ski mask, point a gun, grab people & throw them into an unmarked vehicle.
ICE says it wasn’t them. DHS says they were Border Patrol. But honestly who the hell knows? They’ve given permission for any psycho to put on a ski mask, point a gun, grab people & throw them into an unmarked vehicle.
June 19, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Just some creepy armed Mad Max guys trying to gain entry to Dodgers Stadium.
ICE says it wasn’t them. DHS says they were Border Patrol. But honestly who the hell knows? They’ve given permission for any psycho to put on a ski mask, point a gun, grab people & throw them into an unmarked vehicle.
ICE says it wasn’t them. DHS says they were Border Patrol. But honestly who the hell knows? They’ve given permission for any psycho to put on a ski mask, point a gun, grab people & throw them into an unmarked vehicle.
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
💥Freedom Flotilla Coalition Update💥
The #FreedomFlotillaCoalition confirms that 4 of the 12 abducted from international waters have been deported, while 8 remain unjustly detained. Israel is handling the custody of all 12 as though they had entered illegally—
...2/
The #FreedomFlotillaCoalition confirms that 4 of the 12 abducted from international waters have been deported, while 8 remain unjustly detained. Israel is handling the custody of all 12 as though they had entered illegally—
...2/
June 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
💥Freedom Flotilla Coalition Update💥
The #FreedomFlotillaCoalition confirms that 4 of the 12 abducted from international waters have been deported, while 8 remain unjustly detained. Israel is handling the custody of all 12 as though they had entered illegally—
...2/
The #FreedomFlotillaCoalition confirms that 4 of the 12 abducted from international waters have been deported, while 8 remain unjustly detained. Israel is handling the custody of all 12 as though they had entered illegally—
...2/
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
I always saying opening a street for play is magical, often not spectacular, but the ordinary magic that Stuart Lester talks about. No wonder those who try it want more.
www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...
www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...
Residents of street where cars banned for kids to play say 'make it permanent'
The road, near a city primary school, was temporarily closed down to all forms of traffic
www.birminghammail.co.uk
June 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I always saying opening a street for play is magical, often not spectacular, but the ordinary magic that Stuart Lester talks about. No wonder those who try it want more.
www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...
www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
This is another good article on this topic. Let’s hope we can move on from strait jacket of faux ‘cog sci’ and factory-school TLAC very soon.
June 6, 2025 at 9:13 AM
This is another good article on this topic. Let’s hope we can move on from strait jacket of faux ‘cog sci’ and factory-school TLAC very soon.
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
New paper from Laura Lewis and Jan Engelmann et al. (including me) with a clever new method. Chimps and kids will forgo reward to get a chance to look at social interactions
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10....
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10....
Chimpanzees and children are curious about social interactions | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Curiosity is adaptive, enhances learning, and reduces uncertainty. Social curiosity is defined as the motivation to gain information about the actions, relationships, and psychology of others. Little is known about the developmental and evolutionary roots ...
royalsocietypublishing.org
June 4, 2025 at 5:19 PM
New paper from Laura Lewis and Jan Engelmann et al. (including me) with a clever new method. Chimps and kids will forgo reward to get a chance to look at social interactions
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10....
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
The last instalment of the livestream as we saw the Madleen off earlier today. To follow the vessel on the journey you can follow them with this tracker:
live.garmin.com/session/75cf...
freedomflotilla.org/2025/06/01/a...
(updated with the names of the 12 people on board Madleen).
live.garmin.com/session/75cf...
freedomflotilla.org/2025/06/01/a...
(updated with the names of the 12 people on board Madleen).
Catania Jun 1, 2025 | LiveTrack
LiveTrack creates a real-time view of your location during an activity, so friends and family can follow along.
live.garmin.com
June 2, 2025 at 3:06 AM
The last instalment of the livestream as we saw the Madleen off earlier today. To follow the vessel on the journey you can follow them with this tracker:
live.garmin.com/session/75cf...
freedomflotilla.org/2025/06/01/a...
(updated with the names of the 12 people on board Madleen).
live.garmin.com/session/75cf...
freedomflotilla.org/2025/06/01/a...
(updated with the names of the 12 people on board Madleen).
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
Day 2- a beautiful sunrise as the Madleen sails to Gaza.
#BreakTheSiege #sunrise #FromTheRiverToTheSea
#BreakTheSiege #sunrise #FromTheRiverToTheSea
June 2, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Day 2- a beautiful sunrise as the Madleen sails to Gaza.
#BreakTheSiege #sunrise #FromTheRiverToTheSea
#BreakTheSiege #sunrise #FromTheRiverToTheSea
Play as a form of thinking
Play as a language
Play as being and becoming
Play....
Play as a language
Play as being and becoming
Play....
I see Play’s
magnificent fusion of
thoughts, actions and discovery
as a form of thinking in itself.
A primal language simultaneously abstract and concrete,
relishing the unexpected,
loved by mind, heart and body,
and birthplace to innovation.
magnificent fusion of
thoughts, actions and discovery
as a form of thinking in itself.
A primal language simultaneously abstract and concrete,
relishing the unexpected,
loved by mind, heart and body,
and birthplace to innovation.
May 31, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Play as a form of thinking
Play as a language
Play as being and becoming
Play....
Play as a language
Play as being and becoming
Play....
When it comes to the crunch its autonomy and flow that I think, as play-responsive educators we need to focus our attention on...
Creating space for a collective autonomy where we can be our authentic self together with others.
1.
Creating space for a collective autonomy where we can be our authentic self together with others.
1.
May 29, 2025 at 8:19 PM
When it comes to the crunch its autonomy and flow that I think, as play-responsive educators we need to focus our attention on...
Creating space for a collective autonomy where we can be our authentic self together with others.
1.
Creating space for a collective autonomy where we can be our authentic self together with others.
1.
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
We've got lots of videos of Colwyn talking in this month's sessions for #TheTrevarthenSeries. And we're going to get learn about some of the other researchers working with film, on whose work he built. connectedbaby.net/product/june...
June 2025 - The Trevarthen Series: Studying babies through film - connected baby
June 2025 - Our latest course within The Trevarthen Series will traces the increasing capacities of movie cameras over the past decades have helped scientists to carry out sophisticated analyses of th...
connectedbaby.net
May 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
We've got lots of videos of Colwyn talking in this month's sessions for #TheTrevarthenSeries. And we're going to get learn about some of the other researchers working with film, on whose work he built. connectedbaby.net/product/june...
I think this text is a fabulous example of understanding aesthetic as full of feeling (rather than beautiful) - after all anaesthetic is the lack of feeling/sensation.
Art in all its forms awakens feelings - so context is of course is going to be important as to what feelings are stirred...
Art in all its forms awakens feelings - so context is of course is going to be important as to what feelings are stirred...
Thinking about why Adam Sandler movies seem better on a plane than they do on the ground, and why it took me multiple attempts to get to page 50 in what eventually became one of my favourite books in this week’s #Philosophy Unleashed: www.philosophyunleashed.com/theblog/213-...
#aesthetics #art
#aesthetics #art
213. IS GOOD CONTEXTUAL WHEN IT COMES TO ART? - Aesthetics and Geography — Philosophy UNLEASHED
This conclusion doesn’t intend to demean our ideas of what we find good or bad in art. Rather it intends to expand our definition. Recognise that the thing we have written off before might only be w...
www.philosophyunleashed.com
May 19, 2025 at 8:26 AM
I think this text is a fabulous example of understanding aesthetic as full of feeling (rather than beautiful) - after all anaesthetic is the lack of feeling/sensation.
Art in all its forms awakens feelings - so context is of course is going to be important as to what feelings are stirred...
Art in all its forms awakens feelings - so context is of course is going to be important as to what feelings are stirred...
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
Play England's new strategy recognises all the ways children play & that it's not them that need fixing but the systems round them. bit.ly/43AoFlFC
Congrats @eugeneminogue.bsky.social @profhelendodd.bsky.social @naomilott.bsky.social Paul Brindley @mic-martin.bsky.social @geekdadgamer.bsky.social
Congrats @eugeneminogue.bsky.social @profhelendodd.bsky.social @naomilott.bsky.social Paul Brindley @mic-martin.bsky.social @geekdadgamer.bsky.social
106415 Play England - Strategy Document FINAL
bit.ly
May 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Play England's new strategy recognises all the ways children play & that it's not them that need fixing but the systems round them. bit.ly/43AoFlFC
Congrats @eugeneminogue.bsky.social @profhelendodd.bsky.social @naomilott.bsky.social Paul Brindley @mic-martin.bsky.social @geekdadgamer.bsky.social
Congrats @eugeneminogue.bsky.social @profhelendodd.bsky.social @naomilott.bsky.social Paul Brindley @mic-martin.bsky.social @geekdadgamer.bsky.social
This post explores how children communicate with the world differently from adults... and that play has its own evolving language
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com/p/the-langua...
How do you notice children's dialogue with the world?
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com/p/the-langua...
How do you notice children's dialogue with the world?
The Language of Play
Just before the pandemic I started to walk the land as a way to decolonise the way I think and see the world.
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com
May 14, 2025 at 11:06 AM
This post explores how children communicate with the world differently from adults... and that play has its own evolving language
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com/p/the-langua...
How do you notice children's dialogue with the world?
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com/p/the-langua...
How do you notice children's dialogue with the world?
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
A thousand yeses to this from Cole Arthur Riley.
May 8, 2025 at 3:06 PM
A thousand yeses to this from Cole Arthur Riley.
A child's right to scrapes and bruises while playing
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com/p/a-childs-r...
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com/p/a-childs-r...
A child's right to bruises and grazes
the ouchy side of democracy
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com
May 8, 2025 at 7:42 AM
A child's right to scrapes and bruises while playing
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com/p/a-childs-r...
suzanneaxelsson.substack.com/p/a-childs-r...
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
If someone asked you to draw a cat in school, would you feel free to make the decision to draw one or not? All the children drew one today when asked! Freedom was the topic of conversation at this week’s P4C Club funded by donations from #WonderWander24.
May 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
If someone asked you to draw a cat in school, would you feel free to make the decision to draw one or not? All the children drew one today when asked! Freedom was the topic of conversation at this week’s P4C Club funded by donations from #WonderWander24.
Reposted by Suzanne Axelsson
How depressing that we still have teachers with so little understanding of child protection. If children are trained to be obedient to adults in authority over them, it makes them more vulnerable to abuse.
Supporting children’s autonomy and right to make their own choices protects them from abuse.
Supporting children’s autonomy and right to make their own choices protects them from abuse.
May 3, 2025 at 9:26 AM
How depressing that we still have teachers with so little understanding of child protection. If children are trained to be obedient to adults in authority over them, it makes them more vulnerable to abuse.
Supporting children’s autonomy and right to make their own choices protects them from abuse.
Supporting children’s autonomy and right to make their own choices protects them from abuse.
A country rooted in trust can have toilet signs like this...
A country rooted in fear, ignorance and hate cannot.
Left- Konstfack, Stockholm
Right - Ethnographic Museum, Stockholm
Toilets used safely this week.
A country rooted in fear, ignorance and hate cannot.
Left- Konstfack, Stockholm
Right - Ethnographic Museum, Stockholm
Toilets used safely this week.
April 17, 2025 at 9:01 AM
A country rooted in trust can have toilet signs like this...
A country rooted in fear, ignorance and hate cannot.
Left- Konstfack, Stockholm
Right - Ethnographic Museum, Stockholm
Toilets used safely this week.
A country rooted in fear, ignorance and hate cannot.
Left- Konstfack, Stockholm
Right - Ethnographic Museum, Stockholm
Toilets used safely this week.