Vehicle for character growth
“Sports need to be a vehicle to promote character growth much more so than in building Olympic champions.” The goal should be to focus on making kids better people, not just better players. Read more
Missoula Children’s Theatre
The National Endowment for the Arts recently interviewed Executive Director Michael McGill of the Missoula Children’s Theatre. Their traveling musical production program that enlists local children as actors is magical. Read more
Reimagining the Civic Commons
Akron, Philadelphia, and Memphis are working with Reimagining the Civic Commons, a national initiative that seeks to counter economic and social fragmentation in cities by revitalizing and connecting public places. Read more
Roller Skating
Roller skating is a recreational activity in which the participants wear shoes fitted with small wheels to move on outside paved surfaces and on inside roller rink floors.
Imaginative Play
A child’s imagination can change a twig into a magic wand or a cardboard tube into a telescope. Imaginative play may be the most important resource children use to understand their world. Read more
Occupatonal therapist's viewpoint
Viewing the importance of outdoor play through the eyes of an occupational therapist reveals the reality of the lack of strength and good balance and the increased clumsiness of many of today’s children. Read more
Sandbox games
This detailed, extensive history of the sandbox includes a comparison to today’s digital sandbox of gaming. “Maybe sandbox games are the playground adults don’t realize they still need.” Read more
Recess checklist
Are you doing recess right? A new study of nearly 500 playgrounds offers a checklist to optimize the playground experience. Read more
Toy gun play
The debate over allowing young children to play with toy guns has resulted in many preschools banning them. However, there are some compelling reasons to allow this type of role play. Read more
Children & Nature Network
Have you explored the ever-expanding programs offered by Children & Nature Network? There are so many ways to be involved with nature play. Read more
