After it was announced that we had received the grant, Simple Positive Play worked with YogiSmart to develop a dynamic and engaging method for sharing information with caregivers, child care providers and educators. We had already established a space and time for the event with the Ferguson Municipal Library. At this time, we also advertised on the Missouri Professional Development Training website. YogiSmart and Simple Positive Play collaborated to create a board game to illustrate the strengths and challenges of families within the community while also sharing available resources in the St. Louis area.
Over the next several months, we worked to make the game meet our objectives without being too complicated or so easy that it was borderline insulting and tone deaf. One month prior to the program the game structure was complete, we began advertising using flyers and purchasing add space on a local kids’ activities website. There were 4 participants in attendance with each one representing a different component of caregiving. Our goal was to create opportunities for those who support early childhood learning to play and learn and about playing and learning. Even with the unavoidable design challenges, I believe we met our goal of sharing information in a way that promotes the advocacy of positive playful experiences.
Early childhood is a brief period of time that greatly impacts a young person’s development. Upon completing the workshop, participants were able to better advocate for enriching and engaging learning experiences. This objective directly aligns with DEY’s mission statement and supports the three principles regarding mobilization, advocacy and promotion of quality learning for young people and their families.
Creating any game is difficult because you have to decide characters/players, paths forward, obstacles and rewards. Collaborating with YogiSmart was NOT difficult, once our schedules allowed us to discuss and create. We both had very busy schedules, family emergencies, or were just creatively exhausted by the time we logged on to the meeting. We were able to continue a conversation about the different types of play, personalities of play, and how play connects to the different parts of the brain and executive functioning skills.
DEY funds were used for advertisement on a local kids’ activity website, printing advertisements, printing game components, laminating sheets, printing game board, game pieces, and refreshments.
