September Update
September 2014

PlayinNewsNew Reports on Play Spaces and the Value of Play

Nature Play and Learning Places: Creating and managing places where children engage with nature was just released by National Wildlife Federation and Natural Learning Initiative at North Carolina State University. Experts from 20 organizations came together to create guidelines for planning, designing, and managing nature play areas. See how you can bring a place for nature play to your neighborhood. The full report can be read and dowloaded here.

 

Another excellent new report summarizes evidence that shows the value of play. The Play Return: A review of the wider impact of play initiatives is by Tim Gill, a writer and advocate for play from England. Read and downoad the report here.

 

 RaceToNowhereRace to Nowhere on Public TV

The Alliance is proud to join with Reel Link Films to promote its film Race to Nowhere. The movie will be aired on public television's World channel, now and through October. Check your local airtime here.

To continue the Race to Nowhere conversation, the Alliance is a partner in the new social action campaign #BanBusy. The goal is to raise awareness about the toll over-crowded schedules are taking on the health of our children. Help build momentum for this movement and visit the #BanBusy page today.

ECHOECHO Across America

The Alliance for Childhood is a leading partner in the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, and we will be co-facilitating a new initiative, ECHO Across America (Every Child Healthy Outdoors). In this campaign we will advocate for policies and strategies at the local and state level to engage kids in outdoor, unstructured nature play and other experiences in the great outdoors. Stay tuned for more about this exciting endeavor.

If you'd like to be engaged in this project, please click here and enter your name, zip code, and email, and check the boxes to indicate your interest in advocacy.

EventsUpcoming Events

* The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) will be holding its 43rd conference in Ottawa, Canada, October 8-11. Alliance Director Linda Rhoads will be presenting on strategies for advocating for outdoor nature play.

* Anarchy Zone in Ithaca, New York, had a great summer with hundreds of children playing in an adventure play space. But it doesn't end with summer - many people will be gathering for Ithaca's Day of Play on October 11 at the Ithaca Children's Garden.

* The Alliance for Childhood will be at the NAEYC Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas, November 5-8. Look for us at Booth 942. We will also be participating in several panels. Hope to see you there!

* On November 14 and 15 in New York City, the eighth annual Wonderplay Conference will take place at the 92nd St. Y. Alliance co-founder Joan Almon will be presenting two workshops. Click here for the flier.

 

* The International Council for Children's Play will hold its 27th international World Play Conference on February 1-3, 2015, in Brussels. The deadline for submission of abstracts is September 30.

* The 2015 Conference on the Value of Play is scheduled for February 15-18. Sponsored by the U.S. Play Coalition, it will be held in Clemson, South Carolina. The deadline to submit session proposals is September 30.

* ACEI will be hosting the Institute for Global Education Diplomacy March 5-8 in Washington, DC. Alliance Director Linda Rhoads will be leading a session on effective advocacy strategies.

* The Association of Children's Museums' InterActivity 2015: Bringing the World to Children and Families will take place May 13-15. It will be hosted by the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Do you have a minute? Let us know your interests!

If you haven't already done so, we encourage you to fill out the contact form on the Alliance website, including indicating your particular interests. We will be co-leading some exciting advocacy campaigns, and we want to know if you'd like to be involved. Thank you!

RecentArticlesRecent Videos and Publications

* Our friends in the Wild Zone project have released a video of a Family Play Day. It's filled with sticks, mud, flowers, creativity, and teamwork. Enjoy!
 
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The International Play Association has created a wonderful 3-minute video entitled "This Is Me: Article 31 and a Child's Right to Play."

Remember! The Alliance for Childhood Publications page is filled with many reports, articles, books, and policy briefs, many of which you can download for free.

DonateDonate to the Alliance for Childhood!

Contributing is easy. By doing so you will support the exciting work we are doing to protect and preserve childhood. Please click here to make a donation. Or you can send a check to the address below. Thank you!

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ALLIANCE FOR CHILDHOOD
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