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- Longworth Education’s new BOOK now available
Preparing the Learning Environment is the first in a series of pedagogical handbooks for primary school teachers seeking practical advice and ideas to implement child-led play and inquiry in their classrooms. Dr. Sarah Aiono and Linda Cheer delve into the transformative power of play-based learning and the crucial role of thoughtfully designed learning environments in fostering children’s development. Drawing from… Read more: Longworth Education’s new BOOK now available - Dr. Sarah Aiono on the panel
Dr. Sarah Aiono joined Wallace Chapman, Catherine Robertson and Ed Amon on the panel on Friday, 23 August, to discuss concerns about oral language. Tune in to listen! - We wonder..And we wonder why kids are struggling at school and have been for decades. We know our classrooms are broken, but what’s really being done to change the policies and support our educators? A few weeks back, our team had the privilege of sitting down with Dr Sarah Aiono, CEO of Longworth Education. Our chats… Read more: We wonder..
- RNZ Panel – Wallace ChapmanOn The Panel, Wallace Chapman and panellists Chris Wikaira and Deborah Hart discuss “shocking” student achievement in maths.
- The whole community has a stake in how we educate our children
In a wide-ranging interview with NBR journalist Will Mace*, Longworth CEO Sarah Aionohighlighted the importance of ensuring our education system is fit for purpose in creating thenext generation of entrepreneurs essential for the future success of our economy.And Play Pedagogy can be a critical element in achieving that success.While everyone seems to agree that our… Read more: The whole community has a stake in how we educate our children - RNZ Panel – PISA Creativity ReportDr. Sarah Aiono spoke on The RNZ Panel last night related to the PISA Creativity Report that’s just been released.
- The merits of 21st-century-learning
Navigating the Complex Landscape of Modern Education: Beyond Knowledge and Inquiry The emergence of the science of learning has sparked a contentious debate in educational circles, pushing us to reassess the balance between imparting knowledge and fostering inquiry. This ongoing dialogue reveals a deeper issue: the potential oversimplification of education through narrow scientific lenses and the… Read more: The merits of 21st-century-learning - A New Report Highlights The Need For A Government Rethink About Mandating PedagogyIn light of the revealing findings from The Education Hub’s “The Illusion of Inclusion” report, it is imperative to scrutinise the current trajectory of New Zealand’s educational policies under this Government. Despite intentions to address inequities, the government’s strategies may inadvertently widen the gap for neurodivergent learners, who require more than just a uniform approach to education.… Read more: A New Report Highlights The Need For A Government Rethink About Mandating Pedagogy
- The Panel with Stephen Franks and Zoe George (Part 1)
Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman and panellists Stephen Franks and Zoe George discuss the Government’s announced mandatory approach to literacy learning and Green MP Julie Anne Genter’s outburst in Parliament today. - Play and imagination develop stronger brain connections in kids, acclaimed educator saysDr. Sarah Aiono, founder and CEO of New Zealand-based Longworth Education and informally known as “Dr. Play,” brought her philosophy of learning through play to Moose Jaw recently. Adults should regularly encourage children to play and use their imaginations because doing so creates stronger connections in the brain, develops critical thinking skills and prepares kids… Read more: Play and imagination develop stronger brain connections in kids, acclaimed educator says
- Right now, teachers need alliesDr Sarah Aiono is the chief executive of Longworth Education, a consultancy specialising in supporting schools teaching learning through play. OPINION: There’s a lot of noise at the moment about what should be happening in our classrooms when it comes to teaching. I’m tempted to draw some analogies to illustrate the issues facing teachers, given they… Read more: Right now, teachers need allies
- Discover Moosejaw
Listen to our latest Discover Moose Jaw News Podcast! This episode features an interview with Dr. Sarah Aiono, a teacher and Ph.D. researcher in New Zealand whose company (Longworth Education) consults with dozens of schools in the application of Play Pedagogy, or Play-Based Learning. This conversation touches on topics like the culture and philosophy of… Read more: Discover Moosejaw - International educator bringing alternative teaching method to Moose Jaw
As published in Moose Jaw Today here. Dr. Sarah Aiono will speak about the teaching method of learning through play to educators and children-focused workers at the Events Centre on Monday, April 22 and Tuesday, April 23, while she will give a public talk on April 24. Dr. Sarah Aiono was an elementary school teacher… Read more: International educator bringing alternative teaching method to Moose Jaw - Closing the gap between education policy and the classroom
Dr Sarah Aiono is the chief executive of Longworth Education, a consultancy specialising in supporting schools teaching learning through play. OPINION: Following the election last year, education found itself at the top of the list when it came to quick changes. The headline items the new Government announced included a ban on cell phones in schools,… Read more: Closing the gap between education policy and the classroom - Recognise the significance of play in your students’ learning?
Feeling uncertain about meeting the daily literacy/numeracy hour requirements for 2024? We’ve got a solution – you can incorporate both. As we understand there is concern around the retainment of play based education with the new government’ policies but don’t worry we have strategies to ensure your students are still engaged. Applications due 25 February… Read more: Recognise the significance of play in your students’ learning? - New Zealand Education: Beyond Basics
In the ongoing discourse surrounding New Zealand’s education system, a particular contention stands out – the role of mātauranga Māori within the national curriculum. Critics, such as libertarian commentator Damien Grant, argue that the state education sector’s focus on cultural inclusivity and the consultation process, or perceived lack thereof, may detract from the core academic… Read more: New Zealand Education: Beyond Basics - Developmentally Responsive Teaching and Learning Systems: Balancing Rigour and Compassion for New Zealand’s Future
Dear Teachers and Educators, In the wake of last weekend’s election results, uncertainty looms over our education system. Proposed policies have raised concerns among those who believe in fostering innovative, developmentally responsive teaching and learning systems. The fear of reverting to standardised, non-creative pedagogy and the spectre of the Global Education Reform Movement (GERM) should… Read more: Developmentally Responsive Teaching and Learning Systems: Balancing Rigour and Compassion for New Zealand’s Future - On the PanelSarah had the chance to speak on the Panel in the afternoon about the petition secondary school students are promoting at the moment related to a 4-day school week.
- Opinion: The Act Party’s Education Policies—A Step Backwards for New Zealand’s Future
Yesterday, the Act Party announced a set of education policies that have left many experts, educators, and parents deeply concerned. While the party may be considered the ‘tail wagging the dog’ of the National Party, its influence should not be underestimated, especially when it comes to shaping the future of education in New Zealand—a country… Read more: Opinion: The Act Party’s Education Policies—A Step Backwards for New Zealand’s Future - Transforming Education with Play-Based Learning: A New Zealand Success Story
Sarah is a researcher, educator, and passionate play advocate with a Doctor of Education degree from Massey University in New Zealand. - Teachers, don’t let politicians devalue your contribution
Last month’s announcement by the Labour Party of proposed compulsory teaching requirements for literacy and numeracy sat me on the floor in disbelief. In fact, I had to read twice to check that this was an announcement from the Labour party and not the opposition. Implementing a policy that reeks of standardisation flies in the face of… Read more: Teachers, don’t let politicians devalue your contribution - Standardised testing in NZ? Give me a break
For many school students overseas, break times have all but vanished in the pursuit of academic excellence. Do we really want to go down that path here? Read more here - RNZ Panel with Wallace ChapmanDr. Sarah Aiono was on the Panel to talk about how boredom can help our kids learn.
- The Spin Off: KPI’s are for businesses and boardrooms, not children and schools
National’s education policy reinforces an old-fashioned and hierarchical curriculum that does lasting harm to many students, writes educational specialist Dr Sarah Aiono. Read more - Listen to Sarah on The Panel, Radio New ZealandListen to Sarah on The Panel, Radio New Zealand – National’s Proposed Education Policy – What Teachers Really Need. Listen here
- How play can help children cope in uncertain times
Two days after Cyclone Gabrielle hit my hometown of Napier, I sat watching my 7-year-old niece erupting her homemade volcano on a very soggy back lawn. She squealed with delight as the baking soda/vinegar/food colouring mix hastily provided for her as entertainment bubbled over the crater. Read More - The new Education Minister will need her lessons from the chalk face
It was welcome news for teachers when the Prime Minister announced the new Minister of Education, Jan Tinetti. For too long, the education sector has been led by ministers and government officials who have never had the experience of standing in front of 30-plus children in a busy classroom on a daily basis. Read More - Talking Point: Redefining success for our children
Do you have a household with children in it who are dreading the start of the new term? Do you already know that you’ll be dealing with daily reluctance to get to school or, even worse, a child who skips school and becomes a part of this country’s appalling truancy statistics?Read More - Te Whai Hiringa Peterhead gets $200,000 research grant for indigenous play-based learning
A groundbreaking plan to indigenise play to help learning at a Flaxmere primary school is set to be supported by a $200,000 grant. Te Whai Hiringa Peterhead is one of three in New Zealand to get $200,000 to develop te ao Māori activities that will help its pupils learn. Read More - Listen to Sarah on Radio NZ – Supporting teachers to bring play back into the classroomSarah Aiono is a teacher and in-school consultant on a mission to bringing more play into the primary school classroom. She’s founded Longworth Education, a company which supports teachers to incorporate more play into the school day. She says the value of play as a learning tool can be misunderstood but it’s vital for children… Read more: Listen to Sarah on Radio NZ – Supporting teachers to bring play back into the classroom
- Supporting teachers to bring play back into the classroom
Listen to Sarah on Radio NZ – Supporting teachers to bring play back into the classroom. Read More - Doctoral research highlights value of play in class
Dr Sarah Aiono’s research explored the value of play as a way of learning in the classroom. Read More - He Kupu: While they play, what should I do? Strengthening learning through play and intentional teaching
Play lies at the heart of quality early childhood education (ECE) with the benefits to children and their learning and development well documented throughout early years literature (Edwards, 2017; Hedges, 2018; Siraj-Blatchford, 2009; White, Ellis, O’Malley, Rockel, Stover & Toso, 2008; Wood, 2010;). Given the power of play to support learning, primary teachers are showing… Read more: He Kupu: While they play, what should I do? Strengthening learning through play and intentional teaching - While they play, what should I do? Strengthening learning through play and intentional teaching
Play lies at the heart of quality early childhood education (ECE) with the benefits to children and their learning and development well documented throughout early years literature (Edwards, 2017; Hedges, 2018; Siraj-Blatchford, 2009; White, Ellis, O’Malley, Rockel, Stover & Toso, 2008; Wood, 2010;). Given the power of play to support learning, primary teachers are showing… Read more: While they play, what should I do? Strengthening learning through play and intentional teaching - The Hawke’s Bay forest school getting international attention
Sarah Aiono couldn’t see her “rambunctious outdoor kid” sitting on a mat and conforming, so from age five he spent three days a week at Longworth Forest – a nature school near Napier. Read More - Global honour for Hawke’s Bay Longworth Education forest school
A family that has shown kids the joy of learning in the environment, and shared the value with thousands of teachers, has made a list of the world’s most innovative educators. Read More - Global Education Innovation: Longworth Forest
Longworth Forest selected as part of Finnish “HundrED’s 100 Global EducationInnovations Project”Longworth Forest, a private education initiative for 5 – 7 year old children in Napier, New Zealand, has been announced by global education non-profit HundrED, as one of its 100 innovative education projects across the world, all of which have been gathered over the past two years.HundrED aims to share inspiring ideas and projects across borders to help improve the future of education globally.