What's New
Power of Play
Continuing Education Course
March 11, 2025
Play is more than just fun—it's a powerful force that shapes childhood development and strengthens communities. Though challenging to define, play enhances physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth in ways that are essential to well-being. In this course, presenter Joe Palermo will explore the science of play and how specific play activities—climbing, sliding, swinging, and spinning—contribute to child development. We’ll also examine the role of play in public spaces and why it remains a critical element in designing inclusive, engaging environments for all.
Join us to discover the true power of play!
Contact events@nwplayground.com to register for the continuing education course.
Description
Play is an elusive concept to define, and it happens in ways that are often difficult to quantify. Yet, play has the power to bring people together, add richness to communities, and inspire the next generation. In this course, we'll explore the science of play - its physical, cognitive, social, and emotional attributes. From climbing and sliding to swinging and spinning, we'll see how specific types of play equipment support child development and add value to the communities they serve.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this course you'll be able to:
- Define play from a physical, cognitive, social, and emotional perspective.
- Summarize the child development benefits of specific play elements.
- Explain why play is critical ingredient in the development of public spaces.