Embracing Rough-And-Tumble Play - by Mike Huber (Paperback)

About the Book

The step-by-step guidance and encouragement teachers need to support big body movement in the early childhood classroom.

Book Synopsis

Physical play is vital to young children's development. This practical, hands-on resource encourages you to incorporate boisterous physical play into every day and offers concrete advice on how to create spaces for safe play, how to effectively work big body movement into children's daily schedule, and how to use physical play to make teaching practice more dynamic and effective.

• Learn about the importance of big body play for social and emotional development throughout life
• Discover how to communicate about safe and intentional rough and tumble play with children and families
• Incorporate big body play into all areas of the child care program while maintaining boundaries and teaching self-regulation
• Use the family companion (sold separately) to educate families on the importance of rough and tumble play for all children

Mike Huber, MAEd, has been an early childhood teacher since 1992 and currently teaches at Seward Child Care Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has also worked as a trainer and consultant for the Minnesota Department of Education, the Child Care Resource and Referral Network, and MnAEYC. Huber has authored six picture books including The Amazing Erik, winner of the 2015 Learning magazine Teacher's Choice Award. He presents nationally on the topic of rough and tumble play.

Review Quotes

"In Embracing Rough-and-Tumble Play Mike Huber shares his commitment to allowing space for physical movement in early childhood classrooms. With the insight that comes from years of teaching, Huber argues convincingly that children need to move more often than is generally allowed, and when teachers and caregivers respect that need, children benefit socially and cognitively. Huber tackles thorny issues while offering straightforward, useful advice. Chock-full of specific recommendations, real classroom examples, and enticing color photos, this guide makes active classroom play hard to resist." --School Library Journal
Physical play is vital to young children's development. Embracing Rough-and-Tumble Play: Teaching with the Body in Mind by Mike Huber is practical, hands-on resource encourages teachers to incorporate boisterous physical play into children's everyday activities and offers concrete advice on how to create spaces for safe play, how to effectively work big body movement into children's daily schedule, and how to use physical play to make teaching practice more dynamic and effective . . . Very highly recommended for college and university Teacher Education collections.
-- Midwest Book Review, The Education Shelf

Early childhood educators interested in books about physical play and interactions will find Embracing Rough-and-Tumble Play of special interest because it provides a step-by-step guide to encouraging safe physical interactions and movements based on boisterous activities. There are many early childhood books about play, but this book's focus on active engagement processes is directed to teachers and parents who would encourage rough-and-tumble activities. From visually tracking thrown objects to establishing rules to guidelines, this is an excellent survey highly recommended for any adult interested in physical activities for early education.
--California Bookwatch, The Education Shelf

Mike takes a courageous stance in his book Embracing Rough-and-Tumble Play. Not only does he make a case for the necessity of rough-and-tumble play--"You need to let them play rough if you want them to fight less"--but he contends children learn best when there is constant movement throughout the day in all parts of the classroom. Mike offers many insights on how to make that happen. Through research and numerous discussions with parents and other professionals on this subject, Mike is able to clearly explain his transformation from a teacher who constantly tried to keep a lid on boisterous activity to a teacher who values its many benefits. The question is: Are you courageous enough to read it?
--Tom Bedard, MEd

In this must-read book for all those who have young children in their lives, Mike uses an authentic voice that will resonate with those who reflect honestly on their teaching/parenting practice. He communicates his passion and his concerns for children in such an appealing way, and is equally supportive of girls' and boys' need for rough and tumble play. Teachers and parents may think they understand this topic, but Mike brings out aspects of this play that take the reader way beyond 'the children are getting their energy out.' Mike describes not just the fun of children tumbling about, but shows us all the ways that young bodies need to move and why.--Betsy Evans, HighScope Senior Consultant and Conflict Resolution Specialist

Mike Huber has taken my book Big Body Play and expanded it with a plethora of ideas and suggestions for how to best incorporate this valuable and undervalued play style. His book will become a staple in both new and veteran teachers' resource collection. Thank you, Mike!
--Frances Carlson, MAEd, Associate Dean of Public and Professional Svcs/Media Tech Bus, Pers & Public Services, Chattahoochee Technical College

If you love teaching young children, you will love this book! Mr. Huber gives us the exciting opportunity to see play from the child's perspective. Embracing Rough-and-Tumble Play is full of tools to help teachers take risks in their teaching; necessary for supporting children in building the relationship between their minds and bodies in boisterous ways.
--Gerin Martin, Co-author of Make room for Boys! Helping boys Thrive in Preschool, Early Childhood Education Coordinator, Campbell County Schools

Mike is so right when he states that "mistrust of movement" has resulted in policies and practices that are contrary to the needs of young children. Mike's book will help teachers and parents feel more comfortable with the physical nature of the children in their care and guide them in encouraging kids to do what comes naturally to them.
--Rae Pica, author of the Moving & Learning series


Physical play is vital to young children's development. Embracing Rough-and-Tumble Play: Teaching with the Body in Mind by Mike Huber is practical, hands-on resource encourages teachers to incorporate boisterous physical play into children's every day activities and offers concrete advice on how to create spaces for safe play, how to effectively work big body movement into children's daily schedule, and how to use physical play to make teaching practice more dynamic and effective . . . Very highly recommended for college and university Teacher Education collections.
-- Midwest Book Review, The Education Shelf

Mike takes a courageous stance in his book Embracing Rough-and-Tumble Play. Not only does he make a case for the necessity of rough-and-tumble play--"You need to let them play rough if you want them to fight less"--but he contends children learn best when there is constant movement throughout the day in all parts of the classroom. Mike offers many insights on how to make that happen. Through research and numerous discussions with parents and other professionals on this subject, Mike is able to clearly explain his transformation from a teacher who constantly tried to keep a lid on boisterous activity to a teacher who values its many benefits. The question is: Are you courageous enough to read it?
--Tom Bedard, MEd

In this must-read book for all those who have young children in their lives, Mike uses an authentic voice that will resonate with those who reflect honestly on their teaching/parenting practice. He communicates his passion and his concerns for children in such an appealing way, and is equally supportive of girls' and boys' need for rough and tumble play. Teachers and parents may think they understand this topic, but Mike brings out aspects of this play that take the reader way beyond 'the children are getting their energy out.' Mike describes not just the fun of children tumbling about, but shows us all the ways that young bodies need to move and why.--Betsy Evans, HighScope Senior Consultant and Conflict Resolution Specialist

Mike Huber has taken my book Big Body Play and expanded it with a plethora of ideas and suggestions for how to best incorporate this valuable and undervalued play style. His book will become a staple in both new and veteran teachers' resource collection. Thank you, Mike!
--Frances Carlson, MAEd, Associate Dean of Public and Professional Svcs/Media Tech Bus, Pers & Public Services, Chattahoochee Technical College

If you love teaching young children, you will love this book! Mr. Huber gives us the exciting opportunity to see play from the child's perspective. Embracing Rough-and-Tumble Play is full of tools to help teachers take risks in their teaching; necessary for supporting children in building the relationship between their minds and bodies in boisterous ways.
--Gerin Martin, Co-author of Make room for Boys! Helping boys Thrive in Preschool, Early Childhood Education Coordinator, Campbell County Schools

Mike is so right when he states that "mistrust of movement" has resulted in policies and practices that are contrary to the needs of young children. Mike's book will help teachers and parents feel more comfortable with the physical nature of the children in their care and guide them in encouraging kids to do what comes naturally to them.
--Rae Pica, author of the Moving & Learning series

About the Author

Mike Huber, MAEd, has been an early childhood teacher since 1992 and currently teaches at Seward Child Care Center in Minneapolis, MN. He has also worked as a trainer and consultant for the Minnesota Department of Education, the Child Care Resource and Referral Network, and MnAEYC. Huber has authored six picture books including The Amazing Erik, winner of the 2015 Learning Magazine Teacher's Choice Award. He presents nationally on the topic of rough-and-tumble play.