Importance of children’s play in today’s world is topic of educator’s talk

“Endangered Play, Endangered Development: Why Play Is Even More Important in the 21st Century” is the title of a lecture that will be given by children’s play expert Diane Levin on Wednesday, May 4.

Levin’s talk will take place 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Zhang Auditorium of the Yale School of Management, 165 Whitney Ave. It is free and open to the public. Parking will be available.

Levin is a professor of early childhood education at Wheelock College in Boston. In addition to children’s play, she is also considered an expert on violence prevention and media literacy. She is the author of the recent book “Beyond Remote-Controlled Childhood: Teaching Young Children in the Media Age,” as well as “So Sexy So Soon: The Sexualized Childhood and How Parents Can Protect Their Kids” (with Jean Kilbourne), “The War Play Dilemma,” and “Teaching Children in Violent Times,” among others. She speaks around the world on the impact of violence and peace-building, and the media and other societal issues affecting children, families, and schools.

Her talk is sponsored by Yale Work Life and the School of Management, as well as the New Haven Association for the Education of Young Children, Southern Connecticut State University, the Gesell Institute, and the New Haven Public Schools.