Name: Sarah Jo Ward

In play a child always behaves beyond his
average age, above his daily behavior; in
play it is as though he were a head taller
than himself.
(Vygotsky,1978)
but what about
adults? and if
adults, what about
communities?
KNOWING
BEING
DOING
BECOMING
If human activity is to produce novelty, it
includes play at its core.
(Valsiner)
Adults accepting
boundaries and
playing within
them
Kids looking
for the
boundaries
through play
(A child’s) play is not simply a reproduction
of what he has experienced, but a creative
reworking of the impressions he has
acquired.
(Vygotsky, 1978)
Play bears little resemblance to what it
leads to, and only a profound internal
analysis makes it possible to determine its
course of movement.
(Vygotsky, 1966)
Time’s Up!
• About you:
–
–
–
–
–
Name: Sarah Jo Ward
Department: Learning Sciences
Contact Information: sjw27@uw.edu
Twitter/URL: waywardseattle.com; sparlingandward.com
Quick bio: Sarah Jo Ward is a writer, researcher, educator,
and community experience designer. She completed her
M.Ed with a certificate in Museology and is currently
working on her Ph.D in Learning Sciences. Exploring the
use of ethnography and play as a starting point for design,
development, and social practice, her current research
focuses on museums and their community engagement
initiatives. In addition to scholastic and creative projects,
she is co-founder of the museum consulting company,
Sparling + Ward.
Feedback Time
• About you:
–
–
–
–
–
Name: Sarah Jo Ward
Department: Learning Sciences
Contact Information: sjw27@uw.edu
Twitter/URL: waywardseattle.com; sparlingandward.com
Quick bio: Sarah Jo Ward is a writer, researcher, educator,
and community experience designer. She completed her
M.Ed with a certificate in Museology and is currently
working on her Ph.D in Learning Sciences. Exploring the
use of ethnography and play as a starting point for design,
development, and social practice, her current research
focuses on museums and their community engagement
initiatives. In addition to scholastic and creative projects,
she is co-founder of the museum consulting company,
Sparling + Ward.