Playing It Forward

When a conference invite says “don’t forget to wear sneakers,” you know you’re in for a good time. Kudos to the folks at Sports4Kids for putting on a thought-provoking, well-organized and truly FUN conference last week.

Last week, HopeLab colleagues Liz Song, Lalita Suzuki and I had the opportunity to present HopeLab’s Ruckus Research findings at the first-ever Play On! conference, hosted by Sports4Kids.  The conference brought together teachers, after-school program coordinators, physical activity experts, and others to talk about – and experience – the power of play. The conference content was thought-provoking and diverse. Speakers included big thinkers like Kevin Carroll (check out his Katalyst blog and his witty, wise book Rules of the Red Rubber Ball) and Dr. Stuart Brown (check out the National Institute for Play, which he founded, and his groundbreaking book on the science of play aptly titled … Play), as well as educators using play in their everyday work to improve the physical, mental and emotional well-being of kids. I attended several memorable sessions, including one on how play-based programs can improve classroom learning and another on how to engage partners by communicating the vision and value of play as a way to improve kids’ lives, whatever your particular program or focus.

But I have to say, the standout for me was the high-energy, interactive Sports4Kids Power of Play session on the first day of the conference. Sports4Kids community training program manager (and a superstar facilitator) Dana LoVecchio led a group of about 50 adults through two hours of games designed to promote listening, collaboration, and self-esteem. It was a smart, fun way to get conference attendees out of their chairs and into a playful frame of mind – to literally experience how play can help individuals build connections with others while invigorating both body and spirit.

To wrap up, Sports4Kids president and founder Jill Vialet put forward a call to action to all attendees, asking us each to take what we’d seen and learned at the conference and “play it forward.” So we’re doing just that! Thank you to Jill and all the folks at Sports4Kids – as well as conference sponsors the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the California Endowment – for a great experience.

Below are pictures from HopeLab’s session from the small group discussion after the presentation.

Tags:	Ruckus Research, RWJF, Sports4Kids
Posted In:	Conferences & Events, Partners, Physical Activity

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