The Colorado Health Foundation的动态

I encourage everyone to click through and read the summary report and concluding thoughts. Here are the headlines which are no surprise to students, parents and practitioners of outdoor learning: * Young people in outdoor programs develop SEL (social emotional learning) capacities * Young people develop SEL capacities at a higher rate in outdoor programs... [including] significantly?larger growth in Social Skills,?Academic Self-Efficacy,?and Self-Management?than their peers in non-outdoor programs. * Young people in outdoor programs experience more Engage Authentically and Promote Peer Bonds practices than in non-outdoor programs Click through to read about how these findings apply across gender and ethnic groups. Hats off to the partners in this work: Annie E. Casey Foundation, Children & Nature Network, and The Y (YMCA)

?? Harnessing the Power of Recreation: Transforming Communities ?? At Capstone Grant Consulting, we are proud to champion the transformative impact of recreational programming on communities across the nation. Did you know that recreational activities not only promote physical and mental well-being but also foster social cohesion and community resilience? Let's delve into some compelling statistics and case studies that showcase this positive impact: Improved Health Outcomes: Studies have shown that communities with robust recreational programs experience lower rates of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. By encouraging regular physical activity, these programs contribute to healthier and happier residents. Enhanced Social Connections: Recreation serves as a catalyst for building strong social bonds within communities. From team sports to art workshops, these activities provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together, share experiences, and forge lasting friendships. Youth Empowerment and Academic Success: Engaging young people in recreational activities has been linked to improved academic performance, reduced risky behaviors, and increased self-esteem. By offering a safe and supportive environment, communities can help nurture the next generation of leaders. Case Study: Community Recreation Initiative A mid-sized urban community implemented a comprehensive Community Recreation Initiative aimed at improving quality of life and fostering community engagement. Over two years, they observed: Improved physical health outcomes, including weight loss and increased stamina among participants. Strengthened social cohesion through diverse recreational activities, leading to a more inclusive and connected community. Positive youth development outcomes, such as reduced risky behaviors and improved school attendance rates. Join us in advocating for the expansion and enhancement of recreational programming in communities nationwide! Together, we can create healthier, more connected, and resilient neighborhoods. Reach out to Capstone Grant Consulting today to explore funding opportunities and strategies for your community's recreation initiatives. Let's make a positive impact together! ???? #CommunityImpact #RecreationMatters #GrantFunding #CapstoneGrantConsulting

Does creating a truly inclusive environment feel challenging? I'm looking forward to working with the Town of Ladysmith - Parks, Recreation & Culture to help their team on this topic. This is a workshop that is important for anyone who works with children and youth. In this workshop, we explore the core principles of inclusion and equip you with practical strategies to strengthen your practice and foster a welcoming learning environment for all students. You'll gain a clear understanding of what inclusion means, moving beyond simply "accommodation." We'll discuss key features of successful inclusive programs, actionable strategies to strengthen inclusion in your classroom, and proactive techniques for anticipating and addressing potential challenges. We'll also explore real-life case scenarios to develop practical problem-solving skills, and I'll provide valuable resources and support for navigating challenging situations and ensuring continuous growth. Share this post if you believe creating an inclusive environment is essential for children's growth.

No this is not a restored picture from the 1970's! This was taken last week during a jobwalk. While these merry-go-rounds / roundabouts bring nostalgia for most of us, these ancient relics belong in a Smithsonian, and NOT in a public park. Upgrading playground roundabouts can offer several benefits for both children and the community: 1. Safety Improvement: Newer roundabouts often come with updated safety features such as softer edges, lower heights, and improved stability, reducing the risk of injuries during play. 2. Accessibility: Upgraded roundabouts can be designed to be more inclusive, accommodating children of different abilities, including those with mobility challenges. Features like wheelchair-accessible platforms or seats can ensure that all children can enjoy the playground. 3. Increased Play Value: Upgraded roundabouts may feature interactive elements or additional play features that enhance the play value and stimulate children's imaginations, encouraging longer and more active play sessions. 4. Community Engagement: Investing in upgraded playground equipment demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of the community and can enhance community engagement by providing a safe and attractive space for families to gather and children to play. 5. Health and Development Benefits: Playground roundabouts encourage physical activity and gross motor skill development, promoting children's physical health and well-being all while providing opportunities for social interaction and cooperative play. Reach out to us here at Recreation Brands of Southern California to bring your playground up to speed!

?? We are deeply grateful and excited to share that CommunityShare was featured in Forbes in an excellent article by Kate C., "Transforming Communities Into K-12 Classrooms." ?? The article captures the essence of our model: reimagining our communities as learning ecosystems where community members offer their unique experiences, skills, and wisdom in the form of social, cultural, creative, and intellectual capital to students and educators. "Understanding CommunityShare's model can expand people's thinking about what they can offer to local students. Partnership builds connections to children's unique home communities by activating the lived experiences and knowledge of community members. Josh Schachter speaks of civic engagement and sharing gifts to something bigger than yourself 'in service of learning and in service of the vitality of the community.'" ?? By connecting students and educators with the vast knowledge and skills within our communities, we foster relevant, real-world learning to activate student engagement, critical thinking, civic engagement, and student success in school and in life. ?? Read the full article to learn more: bit.ly/3wxKm8d Want to learn more? Visit communityshare.org and explore the many ways you can get involved. #CommunityShare #ConnectShareInspire #Education #EducationInnovation #CommunityEngagedLearning

In the latest issue, we explored how community rec centers are facilitating successful summer camps. Find out how leaders train counselors, brainstorm fun programming and more! ????? Read about creating fun in the sun here: https://hubs.la/Q02j9qwJ0

Making friends as an adult doesn’t have to be difficult… We’re here to help: Rivet! Connections Through Play - or just Rivet! is a play based, social health organization that facilitates free, organized community recess for adults in and around Indiana. We start the conversation so that you don't have to: We provide safe, inclusive, accessible programming to meet, laugh, learn, and connect with people and spaces in your community. Through initiating interactions and providing countless opportunities to connect in fun, safe, and inclusive environments, we help build confidence, connections, and community, while teaching core social skills that can be used in everyday life. Led and moderated by trained play specialists, participants are guided through a series of classic, and not so classic, recess games, specifically selected to build social comfort, and teach core soci-emotional skills through the simple act of participation. Through intentional game selection and moderation, our programming helps bypass some of the internal workings that prevent so many people from initiating that first conversation with someone new. Everyone Can Play: Everyone at Rivet! believes that there should be no barriers to play. With accessibility in mind, each session is tailored to meet the abilities of participants from session to session. With countless modifications to accommodate all participants. Explore Your City: Your community is as much about the place, as it is the people. That’s why we leverage public spaces! From parks, to restaurants, to gyms, and everything in between. We host events all around Indiana, to get you more acquainted with your city. We love to showcase phenomenal spaces, connect people to resources, and show off everything that Indy has to offer. #play #communitybuilding #growth #Indy #goriveting

“What we should be measuring and comparing is not our children, but the quality of the learning environments we provide for them.” — Carol Black Better is built on doing. It’s the aggregation of marginal gains—the belief that every act, no matter its size, contributes to the building and sustaining of community. This week, I joined learners at Elizabeth Downs Primary School to kick off a loose parts play project aimed at expanding play options in the schoolyard. We asked ourselves, "Can we improve free play experiences for children through the use of loose parts play?" Over the next five weeks, we’ll prototype different types of play across various spaces around the school to explore how we can create environments that enhance their curiosity, creativity and engagement. When students have permission to shape their environment to meet their needs, when they are trusted to make real decisions about comfort, accessibility, and functionality, and when they see their school as a dynamic place of shared guardianship — that’s when magic can happen. Our first task was to assess the play options currently available to students. We used a detailed school map created from a satellite image and then set off to explore, looking for spaces that support: - Fantasy and imaginative play - Adventure - Construction - Gathering and collecting - Special places - Open spaces By empowering students to take ownership of their environment, we’re not just enhancing play; we’re fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility that will have lasting impacts. #ThrivingLearners #LoosePartsPlay #NaturePlay #PlayBasedLearning #OutdoorLearning #LearnerAgency

For my latest story for my Forbes column, I took a deep dive into building more accessible, inclusive playgrounds for disabled kids. There are a lot of hooks into industrial design and technology of course, and this piece serves as a poignant reminder that ?the ADA goes only so far. To comply with the law's requirements is really the lowest possible bar. Compulsion isn't volition and, more pointedly, compliance does not mean accessibility, contrary to popular belief. Please read and share! Feedback welcome!

In today’s world, playgrounds are a staple of childhood experiences. They offer a place for children to explore, develop social skills, and burn off energy. However, playgrounds were not always the colorful, safe, and thoughtfully designed spaces they are today. The history of playgrounds is constantly evolving, shaped by cultural shifts, scientific research, and growing awareness of safety and inclusion. This article will dive into the history of playgrounds, explore the “playground wars” that have defined their development, and look at how modern play structures are evolving to meet the needs of today’s children. Read this full blog at - https://lnkd.in/gtmCkXWe #playtime #friendship #childdevelopment #learnthroughplay #earlylearning #playmatters #openendedplay #woodentoys #toysforkids #toyideas #openendedtoys #kidstoys #preschoolfun #ideasforkids #momlife #mumlife