May 14, 2024 Call for Participation Open for Meaningful Play 2024 The Center for Transformational Play is now accepting applications for volunteers to help with the Meaningful Play 2024 conference. Learn More Meaningful Play 2024 is a conference about theory, research, and game design innovations, principles, and practices. It brings scholars, industry professionals and games practitioners together to understand and improve upon games to entertain, inform, educate, and persuade. The conference is looking for volunteers to help run the Full Papers track. It welcomes contributions from researchers and practitioners in industry and academia who advance the understanding of meaningful play. The purpose of the track is to present the community’s understanding of the current state of the art, practice, science, and/or discipline of meaningful play. Submissions should present original, unpublished research or design work that is not currently under review by any other venue. Game exhibition and competition The Meaningful Play Game Exhibition and Competition invites academic, independent, experimental, serious, transformational, and/or student game developers to showcase and gain recognition for their innovative work in game design and development. Analog and digital games are welcome. The purpose of the games and prototypes track is to highlight the things that the community has built and allow attendees to play with each other’s work. Games and prototypes at Meaningful Play will be showcased in an exhibition during the conference. Attendees will have opportunities to play them. Microtalks The microtalks track encourages individuals to submit proposals to discuss any of the subtopics related to the conference. Its aim is to present perspective or pose challenges to the community toward energizing new or ongoing work. Content that is insightful, speculative, or creative is encouraged. Hosted sessions The hosted sessions track invites submissions of engaging interactive sessions to be organized by members of the community. Its purpose is to provide opportunities for community building and community engagement around topics of interest to the broader community. These sessions could take the form of a panel or roundtable discussion among community members, a game play session, or an interactive workshop to get people working together. More Details Those interested in participating should fill out a volunteer form. For more information, visit Meaningful Play’s website or email meaningfulplay@andrew.cmu.edu. The submission deadline is June 5. The conference will take place from Oct. 16 to 18 at Carnegie Mellon University.
May 7, 2024 Seeking Input on Recess and Play for Advocacy Toolkit Trying Together and Playful Pittsburgh are seeking input on recess and play for the creation of an advocacy toolkit on the topics. Learn More As part of their play advocacy research, Trying Together and Playful Pittsburgh are asking parents and caregivers of children, teachers, school administrators, and community members for input. In the survey, participants will discuss how their child’s school perceives and implements recess. Collected input will go toward devising a comprehensive, community-based Play Advocacy Toolkit that will be widely shared and easily accessible. The deadline to complete the survey is June 21. The survey is now available to complete. Community Conversations on Play Parents and caregivers of children, teachers, school leaders, and community members are also invited to join Trying Together and Playful Pittsburgh for upcoming community conversations on play. Physical movement, the freedom to play, and playful learning during the school day improves a child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. However, many American children engage in less than one hour of unstructured play per day. The conversations will focus on how play is an important part of a child’s school life. The events will help attendees learn how to advocate for play and developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood. In person event Thursday, May 30, 2024 | 5 – 7 p.m. Spartan Community Center of Hazelwood, 134 East Elizabeth Street Registration is now open Dinner and child care will be provided. Virtual event Monday, June 10, 2024 | 7-8 p.m. Zoom Registration is now open.
May 1, 2024 Recess and Play: Community Conversations Parents and caregivers of children, teachers, school leaders, and community members are invited to join Trying Together and Playful Pittsburgh for community conversations on play. Learn More Physical movement, the freedom to play, and playful learning during the school day improves a child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. However, many American children engage in less than one hour of unstructured play per day. We’d like to know how much your child is able to play. A community conversation being held on May 30 will discuss how play is a part of a child’s school life. The event will help attendees learn how to advocate for play and developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood. Dinner and child care will be provided to participants at the in-person event. There will also be a virtual event in June. Details Thursday, May 30 | 5 – 7 p.m. Spartan Community Center of Hazelwood, 134 East Elizabeth Street in Pittsburgh Register Monday, June 10 | 7 – 8 p.m. Virtual Register Can’t attend? Take the play advocacy survey to share your thoughts.
Recess and Play: Community Conversations Parents and caregivers of children, teachers, school leaders, and community members are invited to join Trying Together and Playful Pittsburgh for community conversations on play. Learn More Physical movement, the freedom to play, and playful learning during the school day improves a child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. However, many American children engage in less than one hour of unstructured play per day. We’d like to know how much your child is able to play. A community conversation being held on May 30 will discuss how play is a part of a child’s school life. The event will help attendees learn how to advocate for play and developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood. Dinner and child care will be provided to participants at the in-person event. There will also be a virtual event in June. Details Thursday, May 30 | 5 – 7 p.m. Spartan Community Center of Hazelwood, 134 East Elizabeth Street in Pittsburgh Register Monday, June 10 | 7 – 8 p.m. Virtual Register Can’t attend? Take the play advocacy survey to share your thoughts.
April 24, 2024 Study with Questionnaire Explores Field of Play A new study is exploring the current state of the field of play, specifically in games and related areas. Areas covered by the exploratory, qualitative study include mixed reality, themed entertainment, and tech. The study, led by Carnegie Mellon University’s Drew Davidson, also includes a questionnaire in which anyone can participate. Learn More The study’s aim is to define and reflect on the field of play. ETC Press will publish the results. The concept of play is broad and diverse, so the study is less a focus on a specific discipline and more an exploration of the extensive ideas around play. The questionnaire asks participants where they are located, what type of work they do, and what they believe is going on in the field of play. All responses are anonymous, and only a few of the questionnaire’s 16 questions are required. It should take between 20 to 25 minutes. More Details The study incorporates assistance from such groups as the Pittsburgh Remake Learning Initiative, Pittsburgh Technology Council, and the Connected Learning Alliance. Participating organizations will form a committee to provide local focus on regions to help ensure an inclusive process that offers perspectives from the diverse groups engaged in the field. The study includes questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and community participation. It aims to find patterns, commonalities, and differences across various regions amongst the education, industry, professional, foundation, and government groups involved in the field of play. The goal will be to collaboratively produce a white paper with the help of the committee. The final report’s aim is to document the global state of play. It will also serve as a reference for current practices and problems. Those who are interested in participating can take the questionnaire or contact the study team for more information.
August 23, 2023 IPA-USA National Day of Loose Parts Play The International Play Association-USA chapter presents National Day of Play on September 16, 2023! To celebrate this international recognition of the importance of play, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative is hosting a special, pop-up play day on Saturday, September 16 at Lytle Land and The Elizabeth Street Parklet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Playful Pittsburgh “IPA-USA National Day of Loose Parts Play” event is a free, family-friendly opportunity for all communities throughout Pittsburgh to enjoy a day of play. The event will focus on embracing loose parts play to highlight how everyday items, such as cardboard boxes, paper tubes, string, and various fabrics can be representative of items from around the world. Using our imagination, we will celebrate cultural differences and similarities of play through a range of activities. When: Saturday, 9/16 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Where: Lytle Land Park, 5113 Lytle Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15207 (Hazelwood) Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. We know you’ll leave the play day feeling inspired and creative, so the fun can continue wherever your family travels! Loose parts are all around us! Don’t miss this celebration of play from perspectives around the world! Partnering Organizations Include: Open Field Child in Mind Consulting Global Links Kaleidoscope PGH City Squeakers Trying Together Lion of Judah Enterprises
August 17, 2023 Hazelwood Tree Appreciation Day! Come to the Hazelwood community in September for a special appreciation event for trees! Join Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, Landforce, Tree Pittsburgh, and Arts Excursions Unlimited on Friday, September 22 as they collectively celebrate the importance of play in nature at Lytle Land and The Elizabeth Street Parklet in Hazelwood. When: Friday, September 22 | 4 – 6 p.m. Where: Lytle Land, Hazelwood, 5113 Lytle Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15207 During this appreciation event, participate in a tree walk where you will learn about the life cycle of a tree and a nature scavenger hunt. This event is FREE and open to the community, and is family-friendly. For more information, contact Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative at playfulpgh@tryingtogether.org.
July 10, 2023 BabyTalks Series: Fostering Inclusive Play for All Infants and Toddlers In this BabyTalks webinar, attendees will learn how play varies across individuals, families, cultures, and communities. Join Beth Zack, PhD, and Marie Baeta, MA, from the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning to explore the importance of moving away from a “one size fits all” approach to play. Those that attend will discover ways to make play accessible, culturally relevant, and meaningful to all infants and toddlers. This webinar is offered with English and Spanish captioning. Key topics that will be discussed during this webinar include: Infant and toddler play through a lens of equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness. Strategies to create playful learning experiences that are accessible and meaningful to all infants and toddlers. This webinar benefits Head Start and child care program directors, managers, and administrators serving infants and toddlers, teachers, home visitors, and family child care providers, TTA providers, program office staff located in Regional offices and Washington, D.C., Head Start Collaboration offices. Register Certificates of completion are available for this webinar.
June 29, 2023 Resources for July Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for July observances: Month-Long Observances National Parks and Recreation Month City of Pittsburgh Department of Parks & Recreation, CitiParks Summer Program Guide, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Top Green Spaces and Public Parks in Pittsburgh, Visit Pittsburgh Growing Equity in City Green Space, Eos Rocking and Rolling. Fresh Air, Fun, and Exploration: Why Outdoor Play Is Essential for Healthy Development, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Why Kids Need to Spend Time in Nature, Child Mind Institute Free Worksheet: Thank a Park Ranger Card, Education.com Become a Junior Ranger, National Park Service Five Fun Activities for Teaching Kids About Conservation, National Recreation and Park Association Allegheny County Shares Summer Safety Guidance, Trying Together National Make a Difference to Children Month 5 Pittsburgh Organizations supporting Our Most Vulnerable Children–and Inspiring Us to Help, Kidsburgh Most Popular Pittsburgh Children & Youth Nonprofits and Charities, Great Nonprofits Positive Parenting, National Institute of Health The Power of Positive Parenting, UC Davis Health 8 Ways to Strengthen a Parent-Child Relationship, Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin Bonding with Stepchildren: 7 Tips for Building a Strong Relationship, Care.com Three Principles to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families, Harvard University Center on the Developing Child Strategies to Support Black Students, Teachers, and Communities in Schools, Education Northwest 12 Powerful Statistics That Prove Why Teachers Matter, We Are Teachers Family Engagement, Office of Head Start and Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center Raise Child Care, Start Strong PA National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Prioritizing Minority Mental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BIPOC Mental Health, Mental Health America Mental Health Disparities: Diverse Populations, American Psychiatric Association Contextualizing BIPOC Youth Mental Health, National Black Women’s Justice Institute Mental Illness Doesn’t Discriminate, so Why Do BIPOC Communities Have Difficulty Accessing Care?, Jefferson Center for Mental Health Erasing Mental Health Stigma in the Black Community, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) BIPOC/AAPI Mental Health Resources, NAMI New Hampshire Where to Find Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents in Pittsburgh, The University of Pittsburgh: Youth and Family Research Program Anti-Racism Resources for Families, Trying Together Multilingual Trauma Resources, The Child Mind Institute Days of Recognition July 4 is Independence Day Ways to Celebrate Independence Day in Pittsburgh in 2023, VisitPittsburgh 23 Crafts and Activities for Independence Day, WeAreTeachers The History of Independence Day, History Channel A Nation’s Story: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”, National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) The Fourth of July is a Black American Holiday, The Washington Post 19 Children’s Books to Inspire Courage and Activism, HarperCollins Publishers July 14 is International Non-Binary People’s Day Gender Identity Development in Early Childhood, Trying Together Resource List: LGBTQ+ Organizations, Trying Together A Guide to Gender Identity Terms, NPR & WESA Understanding Nonbinary People: How to Be Respectful and Supportive, National Center for Transgender Equality 10 Ways to Step Up as an Ally to Non-Binary People, Stonewall 20 Picture Books to Help You Raise Kind, Tolerant Kids, Today Early Childhood Book List: Learning About Gender Diversity, Social Justice Books July 24 is National Parents’ Day 7 Fun Ways to Celebrate Parents’ Day This Year, Parents Caring for the Caregiver, Trying Together Positive Parenting Tips, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series, Trying Together Outside Gender Norms: Father’s Day and Mother’s Day Aren’t Easy First for LGBTQ Families, The Standard-Times Parenting Resources for Foster Parents, Child Welfare Information Gateway Being a Step-Parent and Raising Your Partner’s Child, Raising Children Resources to Share with Expectant Families, Office of Head Start Find Child Care, ELRC Region 5 July 25 is World Drowning Prevention Day Drowning Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Drowning Prevention & Facts, American Red Cross Water Safety at Home, Safe Kids Worldwide Water Safety Tips for Families, Seattle Children’s Hospital Toddler Water Safety: 14 Ways to Keep Safer, Stop Drowning Now Water Safety for Your Special Needs Child, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Resources: Learn to Swim, Allegheny County 4 Places To Get FREE Summer Swim Lessons For Kids In The ‘Burgh, Macaroni Kid How to Perform Child and Baby CPR, American Red Cross Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 Partnering to Offer First Aid & CPR Training, ELRC Region 5 July 26 is National Disability Independence Day Guide to Disability Rights Laws, U.S. Department of Justice: Civil Rights Division Ideas for Celebrating the ADA, ADAAnniversary.org Disability and Autism Supports, Allegheny County Department of Human Services Disability Resources in the Community, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) 16 Shelf-Worthy Children’s Books About Disabilities for All Students, WeAreTeachers Representation Matters: Kids Books That Embrace Disability and Difference, New York Public Library Service Dogs 101—Everything You Need to Know, American Kennel Club Assistive Devices for Children: Walking and Mobility, KidsHealth
May 3, 2023 Ultimate Play Day Returns to Pittsburgh on Sunday, May 7 Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, alongside event partners Trying Together, Citiparks, and ZeroFossil, will host its annual Ultimate Play Day from 1 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 7. Ultimate Play Day is an opportunity for people throughout the Pittsburgh region to gather together, play together, and raise awareness of the benefits of play for everyone. This year, Ultimate Play Day will be held at Lower McKinley Park in the Beltzhoover/Knoxville area of Pittsburgh. Local partners and community organizations offer play activities for all ages each year. This year, more than 28 vendors are participating with hands-on playful activities, entertainment, and refreshments. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of “playful” activities from vendors, including ultimate frisbee, basketball, soccer, imagination/dramatic play with costumes, bean bag toss, oversized classic games like Connect 4 and Jenga, and plenty of arts and crafts projects. Share the Ultimate Play Day flyer with your friends, family, and neighbors! Ultimate Play Day is a part of Remake Learning Days. Remake Learning Days returns to Southwestern PA May 4 – May 23, 2023. A special thank you to Remake Learning for providing a mini-grant to The Collaborative for Ultimate Play Day. SLB Radio Ultimate Play Day Interview Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative was a special guest on the Neighborhood Voices show, hosted by The Saturday Light Brigade, to talk about Ultimate Play Day! Assistant Director of Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Adam James and Nicole Stevens from Beltzhoover Consensus Group joined SLB Radio to talk about this special day of play, why play is important for everyone, and how this event will connect neighbors throughout the City of Pittsburgh. Visit the Ultimate Play Day webpage to listen to this interview. Getting to Ultimate Play Day Ultimate Play Day is the same day as the Pittsburgh Marathon. That means there will be adjusted traffic patterns to be aware of, but that won’t stop the fun! You can find additional directions to get to Lower McKinley Park on the Ultimate Play Day webpage. Check out this map provided by the Pittsburgh Marathon to check the rolling road closures and openings on Sunday, May 7. Lower McKinley Park Learn more about Lower McKinley Park and its history before Ultimate Play Day. Check out this informational flyer on McKinley Park from Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Remake Learning Days Remake Learning Days hosts 1200+ learning events reaching 150,000 families. The festival features events across the southwestern PA region for youth, families, grandparents, caregivers and educators to explore creative and fun ways of learning. For more information, visit remakelearningdays.org/southwesternpa. Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative is a group of organizations dedicated to advancing the importance of play in the lives of children, families, and communities in the Pittsburgh region by raising awareness on play being a critical life element for people of all ages, educating decision-makers (from parents to legislators) to support access to play for all, and modeling play through various recreational and professional activities. For more information, visit playfulpittsburgh.org.
