I recently attended a webinar from HiMama titled “5 Strategies for Building Stronger Connections with Children”, and there’s one thing I can't stop thinking about after this conversation. In the webinar, Prerna Richards, author from HiMama and owner of Together We Grow, mentioned that social-emotional learning is the bridge between the cognitive and language spheres of the brain. As the webinar progressed, it became clear that my initial reaction was on par with ongoing discussion on the social and emotional benefits of play. Play provides opportunities for neurological intersections and for unique brain connections. The importance of play early on in the lives of people can not be understated. Play helps develop our brains cognitively, through language, and taps into social-emotional learning skills, all quintessential for healthy, happy living down the road.
Calling all Pittsburgh parents, caregivers, teachers, and youth – we need your help! Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative advocates for equitable play opportunities for all people. We need to hear from you to do our best work. That’s why we’re conducting an official Play Survey. If you have 15 - 20 minutes to answer some questions, we’d love to hear from you. We challenge you and your household to participate in this survey!
Those that participate in the Play Survey will be eligible to win one of ten $25 Visa gift cards.
The survey closes February 1, 2023 and winners will be selected and notified after that date.
November 17th In-Person Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Meeting Recap
It was wonderful to see our partners on November 17 for our first in-person meeting since the Collaborative reconvened in January 2022. Here’s what we discussed and accomplished during the meeting:
We mixed, mingled, and networked while playing games like Trouble, Chutes and Ladders, You’ve Been Framed, and Candyland.
We brainstormed with Live Well Allegheny about playful ways to get people to engage with their Rethink Your Drink campaign.
We took a high-level look at our Asset-Based Community Development JamBoard.
We ended our time together by brainstorming the location of Ultimate Play Day 2023.
Interested in Joining?
There’s great things brewing on the horizon, and we can’t wait to share them with you! Interested in becoming a member of Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative? Check out our website. Or email playfulpittsburgh@tryingtogether.org today!
People came together to move and play at Greenfield K8 Turkey Trot which occurred earlier in November! Sharon Ross, Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Human Development at School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh and Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Member, borrowed games from Playful Pittsburgh’s Game Library to add more playful opportunities to the event. She summarized the day saying:
“We had 87 kids who pre-registered, along with their families, show up to run! All kids received a free t-shirt, snacks, and race bib with safety pins. The real feel was in the 20s, but we kept warm by dancing and playing, drinking hot chocolate, and of course, RUNNING! The Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative activities and play supplies made the whole day more fun.”
Play Tip: Don’t forget the CDC recommends kids get 60 minutes of physical activity a day while adults need 150 minutes of physical activity a week (just over 20 minutes a day). What better way to get your steps in than through play?
Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative's Member Playhouse
Latest Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative member news and updates
Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Partner Member Highlight - SLB Radio / Open Studio
Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Member SLB Radio Productions, Inc. recently unveiled their Open Studio at the Youth Media Center (YMC), a free after school program for teens in grades 6-12 who are interested in podcasting and media creation. SLB Radio’s Director of Programs, Deanna Baringer, shared their story about why Open Studio is a great, playful space for teens to explore future opportunities in media.
Carnegie Mellon University Launches Center for Transformational Play
Carnegie Mellon University has announced that the School of Computer Science is launching the Center for Transformational Play. The research center will invite collaborations with faculty, students and staff from the Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII); the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC); the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy; the College of Fine Arts; the Integrative Design, Arts and Technology (IDeATe) Network; the Neuroscience Institute; and programs focused on psychology and sociology.
Event Update: UnConference: Race Equity in Practice
Trying Together in partnership with The Frick Pittsburgh will host Unconference: Race Equity and Practice on Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration will open on Friday, December 2, 2022.
Keynote speaker Dr. Rosemarie Allen will be presenting “Aware is Only Halfway There: Concrete Strategies for Supporting Children’s Racial Identity Development. Are you Ready?” Dr. Allen will discuss how awareness of racial equity is important, but not enough.
Save the Date: Trying Together Annual Celebration Dinner
Trying Together's Annual Celebration Dinner will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Acrisure Stadium. The celebration dinner honors early care and education professionals during Month of the Young Child for the important work they do daily. Stay tuned for information and registration details
Before You Go...
Share Your Playful Events
Are you hosting an event and want to get the word out about it? Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative can help! We’re happy to promote your playful event on our website, through our newsletter, and through social media. Visit the link to our Event Submission Form, and let us take care of the rest!
Did you know that Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative has a vast library of games, playboxes, and equipment to help you infuse play into your next event? Did you know that we recently updated our Google Form? That’s because we have a slew of new games and equipment that we can’t wait for you to borrow at no cost. If your organization has an event approaching, borrow some games or play equipment, and make the day one for the scrapbooks!
"We get so wrapped up in numbers in our society. The most important thing is that we are able to be one-to-one, you and I with each other at the moment. If we can be present to the moment with the person that we happen to be with, that's what's important."
