Fred Donaldson

Fred Donaldson is recognized for his ongoing research and use of play with children and animals for over forty years. He is a world-famous specialist in applying play as an alternative to aggression, violence and abuse. He has coined the term “original play” to describe his work. He has written the books Playing By Heart: The Vision and Practice of Belonging and Playing For Real: Replaying The Game of Life as well as over forty 40 articles describing his play with children and animals around the world. Fred Donaldson is a former lecturer at the University of Washington and California State Hayward and the California School of Professional Psychology. He is a consultant to families, educational, social service, health, and environment organizations and corporations. His playmates include special needs children, gang members, refugees, and street kids, prison inmates, cancer patients, dolphins, whales, lions, grizzly bears, wolves, baboons and butterflies. He travels extensively throughout the world.