Welcome to the US Play Coalition!
The US PLAY Coalition is a partnership to promote the value of play throughout life.
The first play movement started the early 1900`s. Now, given the many problems with obesity and other social ills that have occurred with the erosion of play opportunities, it is time to begin the second great play movement. We ask you to help us as we do so. The time has come for all of us to help our children, and citizens regardless of age, create a better life, and ultimately, to make a difference in today’s world by making joys and benefits associated with play a reality for all.
Conference on the Value of Play: Multi-Generational Actions and Strategies
Save the Date for 2012 Conference on the Value of Play
Get ready for three full days of outstanding speakers, play experiences, and opportunities to meet play researchers and workers from around the world. This is the most diverse group of attendees and presenters on the Value of Play collected in one place at one time. Come be a part of this exciting opportunity! You can even receive CEU’s free of charge while you are expanding your knowledge and networks. Take a look at our detailed schedule on our website and start to imagine yourself here with us.
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Meet the Honorary Chair of the 2012 Conference on the Value of Play!
Dr. Joe Frost
Click here to learn more about Dr. Joe Frost, our conference Honorary Chair.
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Online registration now available for the 2012 Conference on the Value of Play!
The Conference on the Value of Play is a great place to build new connections with leaders in the play movement.
Act quickly to reserve your space at the 2012 Conference on the Value of Play: Multi-Generational Actions and Strategies, to be held at Clemson University between February 26-29, 2012.
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Making New York streets safe for play
In one of the biggest cities on earth, groups such as Transportation Alternatives and NYC Strategic Alliance for Health are making efforts to make the streets safe for kids to play. They do this by creating "play streets" which are closed to traffic at certain times of the week, and groups also provide play equipment like balls and chalk. This addresses two of the three most frequently given reasons for not letting kids engage in unstructured play: safety and lack of resources (the third is parental concern for safety).
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Recess for adults in Charlotte
In lieu of single sport indoor leagues, Southview Recreation Center is offering a recess league where teams of eight to ten adults play their favorite childhood games. Games currently on the schedule include: dodge ball, kickball, Wiffle ball, and recreational volleyball. The early success of this program shows that you're never to old to have recess.
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Day care kids need play too
This report is an echo of what has been reported across the country: vigorous physical play time has been reduced as child centers succumb to the pressures of safety concerns, financial issues, and an emphasis on academics. An interesting point raised by this researcher and often not mentioned in other articles is this: "given that childhood obesity is quickly eclipsing childhood injury as a leading cause of morbidity... licensing standards may need to explicitly promote physical activity in as much detail as is devoted to safety." What is the price we are willing to pay for "safety"?
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Creative play pushed out by techie toys?
A great toy is 90% child and 10% toy, meaning the child has the opportunity to create and to imagine the vast majority of the function and story. Yet, many toys now come with preset functions and "personalities" either based on television or computer games. Closing this gap may be the next frontier in toy development.
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Outdoor play gets a big boost in England
Across England, an army of volunteers are needed to create more outdoor play opportunities for children. The Big Society Fund has agreed to provide two million pounds shared over seventeen organizations selected based on their dedication to improving facilities and opportunities for play. This large government sponsored effort indicates the positive effect discussions on the need for play are having.
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Certified Interpretive Trainers Course in Charlotte, NC - April 16 to April 20 - The National Association of Interpreters (NAI) is hosting a Certified Interpretive Trainers (CIT) course at the Reedy Creek Nature Center in Charlotte, NC. Completing this course will help interpreters demonstrate they have skills and knowledge to perform effectively. The course is open to any interested individuals, but is of particular interest to those working in nature centers, museums, zoos, living history sites, etc.
26th International Council for Children's Play (ICCP) World Play Conference - June 17 to June 20 - The 26th ICCP World Play Conference will be held in Tallinn, Estonia on the 18 and 19 June 2012, organised in co-operation with Tallinn University and the Estonian Union for Child Welfare. Children need time and space to play as part of their everyday lives. 'Play' is provided and organised in many different forms, from educational activities for pre-school children to childcare services for school-aged children; from playwork settings to youth services; from outdoor play to play in the virtual environment for children of all ages; from sports and leisure activities for young children and teenagers; and many, many more. This conference will explore what can be learnt from research about the provision of play by adults in the light of the widely-held view of children's need for undirected time and space in their lives from a practical, philosophical and historical perspective.