Ann Langis is a passionate advocate for play with over 25 years of experience supporting learners of all ages — from early childhood to college. Her work spans roles as a Playcentre educator, classroom teacher, co-founder of Conscious Kids Education, and Junky Monkeys, a loose parts play programme based in Auckland.

Ann’s approach to play is grounded in deep, real-world experience and a commitment to helping both educators and communities understand the conditions needed for authentic, meaningful play to thrive. She brings this knowledge to her work as a presenter and professional learning coach with Longworth Education, as well as through her own consultancy, Ann Langis Play Ltd.

Her particular expertise lies in outdoor risky play, including nature play, large loose parts, tinkering, and makerspace environments. Ann has a gift for activating not just spaces for play, but the confidence of teachers, leaders, and whānau to support play as a powerful learning tool.

Ann holds a Master of Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts, and brings both academic insight and lived experience into every learning environment she enters.

When she’s not thinking about play, writing about play, or presenting on play, Ann can usually be found outside playing — often up a tree or dancing barefoot in the grass.