As we kickoff our Sponsor Thank You Week, we want to give a special shout out to four longtime, top supporters. Since our founding TEN YEARS AGO (in 2009!), these four sponsors have been at our side, giving top level financial support to insure that the US Play Coalition could not only grow, but also evolve and expand its reach to spread the importance of the VALUE of PLAY . They are truly are leaders in advancing the play movement. Their support comes from their deep belief in our work, our message, and our network.
Please click on their logos to learn more about each.
For our many landscape architect play friends, check out all of the LACES approved sessions at the 10th Anniversary Conference on the Value of Play: PLAY FOR LIFE, March 31- April 3 in Clemson, South Carolina:
Playable Infrastructure
What type of play is that? Categorizing play-types to objectively evaluate outdoor play environments
Socio-Environmental Barriers to Outdoor Play and Their Impact on Child Health Outcomes
Free play and alternative education pedagogies
Hardware or software in provisioning public play spaces for children: An analysis of forces at play
Action Research on Play for Life: The Making of Transitional Play Unit for Two-Year-Old Classrooms
Play for All: Providing Accessible and Inclusive Outdoor Play and Learning Environments
A Field-Testing Study on Outdoor Play Environments: Findings and Lessons Learned
Play by the River – Bringing natural, all-ages play to a new River Garden by the Mississippi
Learning through doing: The benefits to learning through planning for inclusive play.
I’m Tired of Saying “No”: Creating invitations for boisterous and adventurous play in the classroom
Sensory Inclusive Play: Partnering with KultcureCity to become Sensory Inclusive Certified
Reframing the Playground: European Play Precedents at Tulsa’s Gathering Place
Traffic Gardens and Dramatic/Challenging Play: Engagement as a Means of Facilitating Risk Competence
Developing Minds and Bodies Through Loose Parts Play
Naturalized Outdoor Learning Environments in Childcare Facilities: A Review of Policies in 3 States
Rotary PlayGarden: An Inclusive Play Success Story
Approaches for Evaluating the Design of Natural Playspaces to Sup-port Children’s Outdoor Play
The Role of a Playground Consultant
Inclusive Play Panel
“But, I have nothing to do in the park!” – Thinking about places for teens
Elevating Lifelong Play to Create Healthy Communities
Guerrilla Playfare:Lessons Learned From Parkour & Streetsport For Designing More Play-Friendly Cities
Taking the idea of an inclusive playground past the label to true Universal Design
Blank Slate: Design for Learning, Exploration and Physical Growth
Temple University Students Design an Eco-schoolyard for Play and Learning at Greenberg Elementary
How to Make Your Community Playful
Creating Playful Learning Communities
Lighting Play Environments for Today & the Future
The Conference on the VALUE of Play
The Play Conference, as it is commonly known, is an annual educational conference presented by the US Play Coalition. The latest research and practices in the field of play are presented at the conference, which brings together play researchers, park and recreation professionals, educators, health scientists, architects, landscape architects, designers, planners, business and community leaders, psychologists, physicians and parents from across the U.S. and beyond. The three day event includes keynote and featured speakers, round tables on critical issues and trends, research symposium for academics, educational sessions for practitioners, action and research grant opportunities, PLAYtalks and PLAYinstitutes, networking, EPIC play breaks and more.
Join us on Wednesday, March 27th at 7:00pm EST as we welcome co-moderator Kariann from IPEMA (The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association) and the Voice of Play, an initiative promoting growth in the quality and quantity of children’s free play and the use of playgrounds, Our March #WePlayChat will be focused on “Recess is Essential for Developing Young Minds”.
Here are the questions Kariann will be covering during the #WePlayChat dialogue:
Q1. Does your school currently have recess? If so, how long is it and is it structured or unstructured?
Q2. What are the consequences of taking recess away from a child?
Q3. Do you think recess positively changes a student’s behavior? Why or why not?
Q4. Do you think recess helps students socially? What about academically? Why or why not?
#WePlayChat is our monthly Twitter chat for anyone seeking to gain knowledge around the wide open field of play. Launched in 2016, our #WePlayChat participants come from 9 countries, spanning 4 continents – all tuning in to connect around PLAY. This FREE professional learning opportunity is a great way to connect with fellow play enthusiasts, teachers and experts from across the globe.
We love sharing the voice of play on Twitter through our #WePlayChat. We have our chats at different times on different days to get the most involvement across our membership. You will not want to miss them! Tune in and to join in and contribute to the conversation around the value of play.
For our 10th Anniversary we have a few special things up our sleeve…PUN INTENDED!
HURRY! We have a VERY LIMITED TIME t-shirt campaign for our 10th Anniversary Conference!
There are 5 color options on unisex short sleeve, long sleeve or youth short sleeve options.
Unisex Tee 5 colors, XS–3XL
Premium Long Sleeve Tee 5 colors, S–2XL
Youth Unisex Tee 5 colors, YXS–YXL
Order before the campaign ends at 11:59pm EST March 12! (we will do another campaign soon)
*IF YOU ARE ATTENDING THE PLAY CONFERENCE, EMAIL STEPHANIE AT SPGARST@CLEMSON.EDU TO BE PART OF A BULK ORDER AND AVOID SHIPPING COST!!!
BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!!!
Our 10th anniversary swag just got FANCY!!!
Made locally in Clemson, South Carolina. These very popular cuff bracelets are available in three colors – silver, gold and rose gold. Support the US Play Coalition and PLAY by purchasing a PLAYful bracelet!
Order now through March 20 and choose “pickup” to avoid shipping and pickup at the Play Conference! Otherwise it is just $3.50 to ship in the US. (only available in the US at this time.)
They make great gifts, so order as many as you want!
These PLAY Institutes are 3-hour topic-specific trainings that kickoff our conference programming on Sunday, March 31 from 9:00am-12:30pm (includes a 30 minutes break).
Pick one of these great PLAY Institutes to start your Play Conference off with a bang!
Primal Play Playshop – How to Move and Play Like an Animal to Become More Human
Darryl Edwards, founder of HEALTH Unplugged, owner of Fitness Explorer Training and author of Paleo Fitness and Paleo from A to Z
Get fitter, stronger and healthier using the power of Primal Play. Regardless of your relationship with activity; whether you have a love affair with fitness and relish a new challenge or hate exercise but want to get passionate about movement again – you will gain practical movement skills that will assist you in performing everyday, recreational and extraordinary physical tasks more effectively using the power of play. You will also have a lot of fun doing it!
Play and Education from a Global Perspective
SPECIAL NOTE – This session has been approved for three hours of state-approved training credits will be provided in the area of Child Growth and Development.
Dolores (Dee) Stegelin – PhD, Professor Emeritus-Early Childhood Education, Clemson University and Research Fellow at the Institute for Child Success
Tracey Hunter-Doniger, PhD – Associate Professor-Art Education, College of Charleston
Mary Mackenzie – Senior Fellow, Institute for Child Success
Heather Von Bank, PhD – Chair and Associate Professor of Family Consumer Science, Minnesota State University-Mankato
The goal of this institute is to provide conference participants with new ways to engage students of all ages in play-based, interactive learning both indoors and outdoors. Four presenters will provide current information on educational practices in the United States, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. Presentations will include educational slides, video clips and photos of school settings in the U. S. and other countries that model the use of nature and the outdoors within an educational context. Presenters will pose questions and encourage dialogue with the audience. Attendees will receive handouts and the format will be informal and interactive. Three hours of professional development for professionals in early childhood education and related fields will be available for participants.
Respawn: A Gaming-Based Approach to Play That Optimizes Therapeutic Success Through Adaptive Engagement
Erik Johnson, OTR/L, Chief Medical Officer for Operation Supply Drop & Warfighter Engaged, Consultant on new Xbox Adaptive Gaming Controller and Former Army Occupational Therapist
This session is designed to describe different emerging technologies available for use in therapeutic play and how the use of video games and technology can open an alternative world of play for people with disabilities. It will also explore how industry is looking at inclusive design as it approaches game development and overall engagement with digital play. We will discuss the evolution of the new Xbox Adaptive Controller and how Microsoft adopted the help of occupational therapists to create a product that caters to anyone with physical or cognitive impairments.
Play Risks: Exploring Research & Interventions
Ahren Hoffman, Director of Education & Jean Bailey, Educational Consultant
American Specialty Toy Retailing Association
The importance of play for children is well documented and the research is universal on the benefits of play! It is the very fuel children use to explore the world, develop skills and practice emotions. It is the catalyst for adults to relieve stress, connect to others and be more productive. There are societal concerns and risks related to the increasing lack of play across the lifespan, especially in childhood. What is the toll on neglecting play?
This session will explore a timeline of play risks across the lifespan like technology, creativity, aging population and more. Attendees will gain insights through thought leadership and research as well as participate in discussions on play interventions to conquer risks and advocate for the power of play.
The Conference on the VALUE of Play
The Play Conference, as it is commonly known, is an annual educational conference presented by the US Play Coalition. The latest research and practices in the field of play are presented at the conference, which brings together play researchers, park and recreation professionals, educators, health scientists, architects, landscape architects, designers, planners, business and community leaders, psychologists, physicians and parents from across the U.S. and beyond. The three day event includes keynote and featured speakers, round tables on critical issues and trends, research symposium for academics, educational sessions for practitioners, action and research grant opportunities, PLAYtalks and PLAYinstitutes, networking, EPIC play breaks and more.
Lenore Skenazy is the founder of the Free-Range Kids movement and president of the non-profit Let Grow. Her work has helped restore childhood resilience by pushing back on overprotection and inspired Utah’s 2018 ‘free-range parenting’ law.
Michael Hynes, Ed.D., is the outspoken Superintendent of Schools for the Patchogue-Medford School District in Medford, New York. His article on “Play, Recess and Mental Health” was #1 for 2018 in EDUCATION WEEK.
PLAYtalks are our version of TED Talks at the annual Play Conference. They are a series of 15-20 minute dynamic, entertaining, enlightening, engaging, inspiring, informative talks by thought leaders in the play world.
Stay tuned for details on these two showstopper PLAYtalks!
The Conference on the VALUE of Play
The Play Conference, as it is commonly known, is an annual educational conference presented by the US Play Coalition. The latest research and practices in the field of play are presented at the conference, which brings together play researchers, park and recreation professionals, educators, health scientists, architects, landscape architects, designers, planners, business and community leaders, psychologists, physicians and parents from across the U.S. and beyond. The three day event includes keynote and featured speakers, round tables on critical issues and trends, research symposium for academics, educational sessions for practitioners, action and research grant opportunities, PLAYtalks and PLAYinstitutes, networking, EPIC play breaks and more.
The U.S. Play Coalition is now accepting nominations for its 2019 awards program, recognizing outstanding play research and youth practitioners. First awarded at the 2017 Conference on the Value of Play, this new awards program honors exceptional individuals each year. The winners not only receive a physical award, but also have conference fees paid, hotel accommodations and up to $500 in travel to attend the 10th Anniversary Conference on the Value of Play: PLAY FOR LIFE. Deadline for nominations is 11:59pm EST on December 15.
Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research
The Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research honors its namesake, the contemporary father of play advocacy. The award recognizes someone for a body of exceptional research that has enhanced and expanded the study of play.
“Joe Frost has been an influencer for our organization’s work as well as for the world of play,” said Stephanie Garst, executive director of the U.S. Play Coalition. “This award is a fitting tribute.”
Frost is the Parker Centennial Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas at Austin. He is known across the world for his more than 30 years of work on early childhood and children’s play environments. Past president of both the Association for Childhood Education International and International Play Association/USA, he is the author or co-author of 18 books and numerous publications and has also served as a consultant for playgrounds worldwide.
Frost was influential in the creation of the U.S. Play Coalition, serving as a steering committee member since the coalition’s beginning in 2009. He served as a keynote speaker that year at the coalition’s first conference – then called the Summit on the Value of Play –and has been an honorary chair for each successive conference.
The U.S. Play Coalition teamed with Clemson University’s Youth Learning Institute for the Youth Development Practitioner Award. The award recognizes outstanding performance in the creation and implementation of youth development programs or services. (The nominee does NOT have to be affiliated with Clemson University.)
“There are many deserving practitioners across the nation, and our goal with this award is to bring recognition to this field of service,” said Stephen Lance, executive director of the Youth Learning Institute.
The US Play Coalition is now accepting nominations for its third annual Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research. This award is given annually in recognition of a body of exceptional research that has enhanced and expanded the study of play. The 2019 award winner will be named at the 10th Anniversary Conference on the Value of Play in Clemson, SC.
The inaugural Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research was presented to its namesake – Joe L. Frost, the contemporary father of play advocacy. “Joe Frost has been an influencer for our organization’s work as well as for the world of play,” said Stephanie Garst, executive director of the U.S. Play Coalition. “The creation of this award is a fitting tribute.”
Frost is the Parker Centennial Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas at Austin. He is known across the world for his more than 30 years of work on early childhood and children’s play environments. Past president of both the Association for Childhood Education International and International Play Association/USA, he is the author or co-author of 18 books and numerous publications and has also served as a consultant for playgrounds worldwide.
Frost was influential in the creation of the U.S. Play Coalition, serving as a steering committee member since the coalition’s beginning in 2009. He served as a keynote speaker that year at the coalition’s first conference – then called the Summit on the Value of Play –and has been an honorary chair for each successive conference.
The 2018 Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research was presented to Dr. Olga Jarrett, Professor Emerita of early childhood/science education at Georgia State University, evaluator of an NSF project in Belize, and a past president of The Association for the Study of Play and the American Association for the Child’s Right to Play.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research. Deadline for nominations is December 15, 2018. The 2019 winner will be notified in mid-January and recognized at the 10th Anniversary Conference on the Value of Play at Clemson University, March 31-April 3, 2019. The winner will have conference fees paid, hotel accommodations and up to $500 in travel to attend the Play Conference.
The Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research
Purpose:
This is to be awarded annually in recognition of an individual’s body of exceptional research that has enhanced and expanded the study of play.
Evaluation Criteria:
The basis for selection will be the degree to which the nominee has achieved an exceptional research contribution as evidenced by publications, patents, citations, or other criteria deemed important by experts in the field. Outstanding research contributions can take a variety of forms including, but not limited to, theoretical advances, experimental results, development of programs and tools.
Join us on Wednesday, November 28th at 12:00pm EST as we welcome co-moderator Patty Stine of Pure Play Everyday Inc. out of Maryland to our #WePlayChat on “Engaging Volunteers at Play Based Events”.
Patty Stine began her professional career in promoting play as a child delivering play structures manufactured by her family business with her parents. Since then she has worked as a play environment designer, preschool teacher, and child care, professional trainer. She learned through all of this that play has the power to positively influence the self-image and development of children. Patty also serves as a US Play Coalition Play Ambassador. Patty’s commitment to demonstrating simple ways in which children and youth can experience maximum benefit from their play is contagious and we are grateful to have her perspective as she drives our November #weplaychat!
Here are the questions Patty will be covering during #WePlayChat dialogue:
Q1: What are the elements (time, space and materials) of a “play based event”?
Q2: Who can/should be invited to volunteer at your play based event?
Q3: What are the benefits of having volunteers at your play based event?
Q4: Are there policies or forms you need to have in place before hosting your “play based event”?
#WePlayChat is our monthly Twitter chat for anyone seeking to gain knowledge around the wide open field of play. Launched in 2016, our #WePlayChat participants come from 8 countries, spanning 4 continents – all tuning in to connect around PLAY. This FREE professional learning opportunity is a great way to connect with fellow play enthusiasts, teachers and experts from across the globe.
We love sharing the voice of play on Twitter through our #WePlayChat. We have our chats at different times on different days to get the most involvement across our membership. You will not want to miss them! Tune in and to join in and contribute to the conversation around the value of play.
As we kickoff our Sponsor Thank You Week, we want to give a special shout out to four longtime, top supporters. Since our founding TEN YEARS AGO (in 2009!), these four sponsors have been at our side, giving top level financial support to insure that the US Play Coalition could not only grow, but also evolve and expand its reach to spread the importance of the VALUE of PLAY . They are truly are leaders in advancing the play movement. Their support comes from their deep belief in our work, our message, and our network.
As we kickoff our Sponsor Thank You Week, we want to give a special shout out to four longtime, top supporters. 
We are thrilled to announce the 2019 lineup of PLAY Institutes for the 
Fitness and Paleo from A to Z
Respawn: A Gaming-Based Approach to Play That Optimizes Therapeutic Success Through Adaptive Engagement
Lenore Skenazy is the founder of the 
the Patchogue-Medford School District in Medford, New York. His article on 
The full detailed schedule is coming soon with even more session titles…but until then, below is an alphabetical list of the Educational Sessions and Research Symposium that have been confirmed for the 
NSF project in Belize, and a past president of The Association for the Study of Play and the American Association for the Child’s Right to Play.
image and development of children. Patty also serves as a US Play Coalition Play Ambassador. Patty’s commitment to demonstrating simple ways in which children and youth can experience maximum benefit from their play is contagious and we are grateful to have her perspective as she drives our November #weplaychat!