Help a Psychology Today columnist build a neighborhood play and learning center?
I read this on Psychology Today today, and thought you might want to pitch in with some advice. I'm sending the author a link to this discussion so he can see what we have to share. You can also comment on his blog. Thanks!
"Just four days ago a colleague—a prominent researcher who is also the co-director of a foundation aimed at solving social problems—presented me with a challenge. Do I want just to write about these problems, or do I want also to try to do something about them? He invited me to work with him to help develop, as a pilot project, a neighborhood play and learning center that could serve as a model that communities everywhere might emulate.
"I have been thinking of little else since then, and so I decided to turn my thoughts into this week’s post. The foundation--which I have been invited to join--could fund the project if my colleague and I can come up with a convincing proposal. And so, I am in the process of developing a proposal, and I am asking you to help me. I will outline in general terms my thoughts so far for the project. I hope that you will read this critically and make suggestions, in the comments section at the end, based on your own experiences and knowledge."
Read the full article: Empowering Neighborhoods and Restoring Play
"Just four days ago a colleague—a prominent researcher who is also the co-director of a foundation aimed at solving social problems—presented me with a challenge. Do I want just to write about these problems, or do I want also to try to do something about them? He invited me to work with him to help develop, as a pilot project, a neighborhood play and learning center that could serve as a model that communities everywhere might emulate.
"I have been thinking of little else since then, and so I decided to turn my thoughts into this week’s post. The foundation--which I have been invited to join--could fund the project if my colleague and I can come up with a convincing proposal. And so, I am in the process of developing a proposal, and I am asking you to help me. I will outline in general terms my thoughts so far for the project. I hope that you will read this critically and make suggestions, in the comments section at the end, based on your own experiences and knowledge."
Read the full article: Empowering Neighborhoods and Restoring Play
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Leo Romero on
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I haven't found a better resource for such a project than KaBOOM!, a nonprofit founded by Darrell Hammond, who studied under John Kretzmann, Director of the Assets Based Community Development Institute (ABCD Insitute) at Northwestern University.
A 2008 study authored by Deborah Puntenney found that "when implemented appropriately, the KaBOOM! Community-Build process creates a lasting impact on the communities it partners with, both in terms of building capacity, enhancing community pride and cultivating leadership, as well as enhancing the play experience of neighborhood children." Dr. Puntenney’s researchers conducted site visits and telephone interviews with 110 playspace builders, and reported that:
- Nearly 100% believe that their KaBOOM! playground positively impacted the quality and quantity of children’s play
- 94% believe that their playground project helped strengthen relationships among neighborhood residents and among community partners
- 91% said that the KaBOOM! Community Build model and tools work
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Permalink Reply by Sabita swain on
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