a family celebration of play

a family celebration of play

the arts and sciences of play

Our Vision

• Children learning in their natural habitat with their families

• Smiles, brains-on-fire, and creativity that will drive our country’s future

Bringing Play, Learning & Research Together

• Where the science of learning meets old fashioned play

• Connecting play to scientific and artistic achievements

• A forum to bring play, research and learning to families


• To build a public groundswell about the importance of play for fostering lifelong learning in the sciences and the arts

• To create a sustainable national infrastructure about play and learning beyond the launch event

Making the Science and Learning of Play Part of Every Family’s Life

Our Goal



Who will the Ultimate Block Party reach?From hundreds of thousands in New York City to millions worldwide

New York City’s Central Park was the first

communal meeting ground for:

• Families

• Educators

• Pediatricians, social workers, psychologists, family therapists

• Health professionals

• Reporters and journalists

• Urban planners


the arts and sciences of playthe arts and sciences of play

Why have the Ultimate Block Party?

• From blocks to architecture, scribbling to painting, and sandbox to boardroom, the skills that prepare successful adults emerge in the play of young children.

• Hands-on activities demonstrate the transformative power of play for learning throughout childhood.

• It's about BECOMING! All the things children want to be when they grow up – from the next Einstein to the next Picasso – are foreshadowed in their play!

• Families want to know why play matters and how they can play together.

the arts and sciences of playthe arts and sciences of play

why NOW ?

Play is being removed from everyday life … beginning as early as preschool

Play is a child’s natural way to learn and grow

…and our future depends on the children of today


The executive team of UBP includes:

Who is developing theBlock Party?

• Dr. Ellen Galinsky, Family and Work Institute• Dr. Alice Wilder, Educational Psychologiest

and co-creator of Blues Clues, Super Why and Think It Ink It

• Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Sesame Workshop Research Director

• Joan Almon, Director, Alliance for Childhood

…to name a few

• Andrew Ackerman, Executive Director, Children’s Museum of Manhattan

• Leslie Bushara, Deputy Director of Education Children’s Museum of Manhattan

• Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Temple University• Dr. Roberta Golinkoff, University of Delaware• Susan Magsamen, author, creator of Curiosity

Kits and FamilyStories

UBP is led by an advisory group of prominent institutions and individuals in early learning, psychology, play, publishing and family and work issues including researchers from leading universities:

The ONLY Block Party that combines dozens of activity areas for kids 3 and older with experts to help the adults see how play = learning

The UBP makes learning visible:


30 Play Stations & 30 Mini-Master Workshops


What’s on the

Block?= Graphic Designer= Architect= Artist= Actor = Musician= Engineer, Sculptor= Chemist, Scientist= Computer Scientist= Athlete = Nurse= Fashion Design= Writer= Business Person, Military

Drawing Blocks

Collage Make Believe

Pots & PansClay

CookingDeconstruct

Balls Doll Play Dress Up

Storytelling Games


Making the connectionsbetween Play and Science

Parents, educators, policy-makers and children are engaged in the science of play, where the connection between science and learning will be playfully demonstrated.

EQUALS


Realizing the Goal

Scientific ‘nuggets’ about learning are revealed at each activity

center. Links between science and art are vividly illustrated

through playful activities.

Examples include:

Paper folding links to spatial learning

Simon Says links to self control

Boat building links to hypothesis testing

Theater links to perspective talking

Music training links to math


A Healthy Block PartyPlay is critical to mental and physical health

• Stress reduction

• Creative thinking

• Relaxation

• Emotional and social development

• Relationships

• Depression

• Mood disorders

• General well-being

• Team-building

• Sleep

• Healthy eating

Ultimate Block Party Messages• Playing is Learning

• Childhood is a Journey

• Dare to Fail

• Foster a Lifetime of Discovery & Curiosity

• Creative Children = Creative futures


What Communications Tools is our Messaging Campaign Employ?

• Interactive Ultimate Block Party Website

• Books including informational and inspirational titles

• Magazine features and ongoing columns

• Television and radio programming

• Educational webinars

• Workshops for parents and educators

• Year-round follow-up programs in parks

and cultural organizations



How We Get the Word Out?

• National spokespeople and researchers available

• Combined power of UBP partners reaching out to the press

• Media partners to carry pre- and post-event messages

• Low-cost marketing on telephone kiosks & public buses


How BIG can the Block Party

Get?!

Beginning in New York City, the Ultimate Block Party is

rolling out nationally to become an annual event in

towns and cities around the U.S. and world

The first Ultimate Block Party in New York City l resulted in a detailed blueprint for creating

Ultimate Block Parties in other places, and a website of resources

The Party Line

For more information on becoming an Ultimate Block Party sponsor, please contact Susan Royer at [email protected]

• Be leaders in helping families help their children

• Be linked to positive, fun messages in multiple formats

• Be afforded year-round visibility beyond the one-day event

Sponsors Will:

Sponsors can participate by:• Cash sponsorships• Significant in-kind donations• Significant in-kind expertise


The time is NOW for us to stand up and

the arts and sciences of play play together!

Documents

a family celebration of play