We are thrilled to host the FIRST EVER ONLINE Conference on the Value of Play!
This new play conference format is in response to the rapid pace of the COVID-19 outbreak. The US Play Coalition leadership feels strongly that our conference takes on a new importance at times like these. Play is a valuable tool people can use to help address anxious times, and a necessary release when isolated at home.
Our 2020 ONLINE Play Conference includes dozens of recorded headliners, educational sessions and research symposium presentations that address the theme of “PLAY FOR ALL.” This online content is available ON DEMAND through December 30!
ONLINE Play Conference Registration includes:
- Access to view 60+ recorded headliners, educational sessions and research symposium presentations to watch and learn at your own pace through December 30. (That’s more than 40 hours of content!)
- Clemson University awards up to 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for your participation in sessions at The Conference on the Value of Play. Additional paperwork and $12 fee are required.
The annual Conference on the Value of Play, now in its eleventh year, brings together leading 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 globe.
2020 Keynote Speakers
Lise Aangeenbrug
Executive Director of the Outdoor Industry Association
“Promoting the Power of Play”
Read on…
Michael J. Hynes, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools (NYC Area) & Public School Advocate
“Creating a School Vision of Play and Wellness: The Importance of a Balanced Approach to Education”
Featured Speakers
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“Do They Even Know About Play?: Ways to Help Young Adults Reconnect with Play”
Heather VonBank, Brad Putman, Erica Walker, and Pam Davis
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“Playing through Metaphor and Storytelling”
Megan Oteri, Founder/CEO,
Brick Scholars -
“Bringing Play to the World of Education”
Scott Bedley and Eric Saibel, Co-Founders, Global School Play Day -
“The Playful Classroom: Teachable Moments on a Playful Walkabout”
Julie P. Jones, PhD, Associate Professor of Education, Converse College and Jed Dearybury, Director of Creativity at www.mrdearybury.com -
“A Community Within: Black Child Play as Response and Protest”
Ariana Brazier, Founder/CEO of ATL Parent Like A Boss, Inc. and Julia Brazier, mentor for Auburn University Family Child Care Partnerships -
“Ta Dah! Circus as a Teaching Tool”
Jessica Hentoff, Artistic/Executive Director, Circus Harmony -
“Engaging State Policymakers with Outdoor Play: Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook”
Martin LeBlanc, Robyn Paulekas, Sarah Bodor, Jayni Rasmussen, Dylan McDowell and James E. King Jr. -
“Magic of Play and Play Workshops”
Yesim Kunter, play expert and futurist (England) -
“The Relationship between Play and Relationships”
Rusty Keeler, Claude Stephens and Megan Dickerson -
“National Study of Playgrounds”
Meghan Talarowski, MLA, CPSI
Founder and Director, Studio Ludo -
“Changing the 2020 World of Play”
Yvonne Overmaat, president, YALP, Inc. (Netherlands) -
“Schools Re-Opening? Why It Will Be More Important Than Ever to Create A Play-Full Recess”
A Panel Presentation from the Global Recess Alliance
2020 Conference at a Glance
Research Symposium & Educational Sessions
The Play Research Symposium provides opportunities for a scholarly exchange surrounding play.
Educational Sessions are opportunities to share and discover innovative play strategies and play research.
Click HERE for the printed program.
Session Themes
All our sessions will be classified into the following themes to help attendees find the sessions that most interest them:
Education & Play – Play is a vital part of the learning equation, both in and out of the classroom. The faces of those learning while at play are some of the most engaging! Consider play as a vehicle for learning through both traditional and nontraditional settings including schools, camps, afterschool programs, museums, zoos, aquariums, parks & recreation departments, faith-based spaces, and more.
Health, Recreation & Play – Play is a building block for healthy living. Examine health and physical activity trends related to play, healthy benefits of play, and the intersection of health and recreation to insure a healthy face of play.
Nature Based & Outdoor Play – The faces of play are often wet, muddy, and sun-glistened from hours spent outdoors. Focus on play in nearby and far away nature–backyards, parks, creeks, lakes, trails, wetlands, and beyond.
Accessible & Inclusive Play – Play should be accessible, available, and open to all. Advance the field for play for all abilities, all shapes, all sizes, all colors.
Multi/Intergenerational & Adults at Play – Promoting play throughout life is our mission. Explore how adults (college-aged to retirees) play and how adults share and benefit from play with children.
Designing for Play – Landscape architects, architects, designers, city planners, and civic groups are invaluable experts, practitioners and resources for PLAY. These sessions will be submitted for LACES and AIA CEU approval.
Emerging Trends in Play – Play is changing! The Play movement is growing! Explore the latest in play- technology, social media, politics, policies, and more.
International/Global Play – Play looks very different around the world. Share play practices, history, and culture from countries across the globe.
Nuts & Bolts – From play basics to play essentials. Share tips, trainings, techniques and tools for PLAY