Play Summit 2021
Play is an integral part of healthy human development. In fact, research shows that play is essential for children and youth to develop and maintain physical, social, cognitive, emotional health.
Did you know Lethbridge has a Play Charter? Over 30 organizations came together in 2018 to create and develop a Play Charter for Lethbridge. The Play Charter, adopted unanimously by City Council, signifies that as a community we are dedicated to prioritizing play for all children and youth.
Lethbridge Plays is made up of representatives from local agencies and organizations that are working together to implement the guiding principles of the Play Charter within our community. Over the past two years, Lethbridge Plays has been actively engaging with community in shared learning on what play is, what it could be and why we need to make play a priority. The Lethbridge Play Charter has been translated into 10 of the most common languages and shared at dozens of community events over the last two years.
On February 9, 2021, 1:00PM – 4:30PM Lethbridge Plays will be hosting the second annual PLAY SUMMIT! This year’s PLAY SUMMIT will be virtual and packed with interactive learning and play! PLAY SUMMIT 2021 is an opportunity for professionals, parents, students, and educators to learn from community organizations and researchers about why play holds so much value in healthy child development and how play creates resilient adults.
Building Brains Together’s Dr. Robbin Gibb is the keynote speaker at this year’s PLAY SUMMIT. Dr. Gibb’s presentation is titled “Building Resiliency through Play” and will look at the latest research showing how play builds brains. We will explore how play can be used to build healthy brain connections, relationships, executive function skills and ultimately resiliency in children of all ages, including adults.
In addition to the keynote, short Play Blitz presentations include:
· Isabelle Plomp from Lethbridge School Division presenting on “Why Play?”
· Lethbridge Sport Council highlighting Play Bins available in our community
· Be Fit for Life will provide ideas for activity breaks for students and teachers whether learning from home or in the classroom
· Michelle Mackinnon, Holy Spirit Catholic School Division, is presenting on the importance of unstructured play.
Feature presentations:
· Certified Music Therapist, Andrew Ichikawa will make a 20 minutes presentation exploring various aspects of musical play with young children.
· Outdoor play expert, Dr. Beverlie Dietze, will highlight how play and learning can change across the seasons, while supporting children in their quest for knowledge creation that becomes foundational to lifelong learning.
Don’t miss this opportunity to play and learn!! PLAY SUMMIT 2021 registration closes Friday, January 29, 2021. Cost for registration is $15 with group rates of $50 for 4-10 people. If the cost is an issue please contact lethbridgeplays@gmail.com for available scholarships.