Hi Play in Education Community,   We are thrilled to be guest editing this special edition of the Play in Education newsletter, focused on empowerment, education, and support for the special needs and neurodivergent community.   A little about us: Jennifer Rothman, LCSW, is a play therapist and DIR/Floortime® practitioner who has spent over 16 years supporting children, families, and educators. Rachel Rothman is a product media expert, engineer, and active supporter of the neurodivergent community as a mom of three. We are sisters with the same passion to champion for inclusive play by honoring and celebrating all our individual ways of being in the world.   Play isn’t just fun for children — it is a necessity. It is their work and the primary language in which they communicate. It offers infinite opportunities to build foundational capacities needed to integrate all areas of development. Children use play to process their emotional experiences, learn about themselves and others. It allows them to explore, take risks and recharge. Through play, children develop a sense of autonomy and foster relationships.   We understand firsthand that every child’s path is unique — and that within nurturing, attuned relationships and environments every child can thrive. By spotlighting stories, products, and resources, we will focus on the curiosity, creativity, and potential within every learner.   Our hope is to offer inspiration, practical tools, and a celebration of resilience — while recognizing the families, educators, and innovators leading the way. Thank you for letting us be part of your journey.   Playfully yours,   Rachel and Jen     Tools That Spark Joy, Learning, and Growth   These thoughtfully chosen tools are more than just toys—they’re supports for co-regulation, connection, and empowerment. With caregiver guidance, they can help kids engage in sensory play, build emotional awareness, and develop self-regulation skills. Regulation doesn’t always mean calm—it can mean focused, expressive, or simply connected.   Whatever your child’s needs are, these picks are about building confidence, communication, and capacity through play. Read the rest of this insightful newsletter on the Play in Education website HERE!  

    By Ben Taylor, VP Marketing, PlayMonster   Sixty years ago, a simple set of interlocking gears, wheels, and pens forever changed the way kids and adults alike approached drawing. Spirograph, the iconic geometric drawing toy, is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, a milestone that speaks to its enduring legacy as a creative powerhouse and cultural icon. Invented in 1965 by British engineer Denys Fisher, Spirograph was originally conceived as a drafting tool – but it quickly became a beloved toy thanks to its ability to transform math into mesmerizing art. By guiding a pen through spinning gears, users could create intricate, spiraling designs that were both hypnotic and endlessly unique. The magic of Spirograph lies in this fusion of art and science, where symmetry meets surprise with every turn of the wheel.   Over the decades, Spirograph has transcended generations, captivating artists, engineers, teachers, and kids around the globe. Today, it remains one of the few toys that has stood the test of time without losing its core identity. At PlayMonster, we’re proud to be the team behind Spirograph, since solidifying our licensing agreement with Hasbro in 2019, and to have had the opportunity to reimagine the cherished classic in exciting new ways, including jewelry, fabric, 3D effects, animation, and licensed collaborations with beloved brands like Disney’s Frozen and Star Wars. New for 2025, we’re continuing to innovate the iconic brand and will introduce the first-ever electronic Spirograph, the Electronic Spirograph Machine, launching this fall!   Crowned Toy of the Year in 1967, Spirograph has earned acclaim from nearly every industry leader throughout the decades, securing awards and recognition from countless top programs. At PlayMonster, we continue to discover new ways to keep Spirograph relevant by tapping into major industry and consumer trends, most notably “Newstalgia”. As adults seek comfort in retro toys from their childhood, Spirograph has reemerged as the perfect blend of past and present, sparking fond memories while introducing the magic of geometric drawing to a new wave of creators.      Spirograph’s impact isn’t limited to the toy aisle. Over the years, it’s made pop culture cameos in The Simpsons, inspired Pyrex kitchenware patterns, and even landed a spot in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Spirograph has seamlessly blended into the viral ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) social media trend. Over the past year, videos tagged #Spirograph have racked up millions of views, with creators sharing their soothing Spirograph sessions across TikTok and Instagram. The calming, repetitive motion of guiding gears and the satisfying sound of pen-on-paper make Spirograph both a relaxing escape and a shareable moment in today’s content-driven culture.    From classrooms to craft tables, Spirograph remains a beloved creative tool that stands the test of time. Now, in its 60th milestone year, we believe it’s time for Spirograph to cement its legacy and take its rightful place in the coveted Toy Hall of Fame. But we need your help! We’re encouraging Spirograph fans near and far to submit nominations ahead of the July 31st deadline by using this link. Keep the creativity spinning and get your nominations in now. Every vote counts! 

  July 18, 2025 - YIC Spotlight #3 YIC in our 20 Week Countdown to POP Week and the YIC! Name: Maria Schwartze Location: St. Louis, MO YIC: 2024 Junior Most Engaging Winner Invention(s): Calming Cuddlees    Where is your invention now? I presented Calming Cuddlees as one of four finalists in the National Academy of Inventors K-8 Genspiration Foundation award competition through the National Academy of Inventors. I hope this competition will help get Calming Cuddlees on store shelves to help more kids like me give big hugs to their big feelings!    Have you invented any other toys/games since the YIC? I’m working on a few other ideas now.   Are you planning to work or study in a related field (STEM, design, entrepreneurship, toy/game industry, etc.)? My dream is to be an entrepreneur and inventor when I grow up.