Join Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, and Trying Together from February 3 – 10 for a virtual conference bringing together educators, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss and share best practices to support children and families in learning through play.

About

Finding Joy through Playful Learning aims to bring together educators, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who have a variety of experiences related to education, play, and learning. The conference will take place via Zoom over the course of several days covering six topics related to playful learning. The goal is to generate dialogue among different stakeholders and share best practices to support children and families in learning through play.

Act 48 and PQAS credits are available. PPID and PD Registry numbers will be collected during the sessions.

Available Sessions

• Rethinking Education During and Post COVID-19
  Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | 3 – 5 p.m.

  Join featured speakers Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Dr. Scott Miller, and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for discussions of how playful learning can change education during and after COVID-19. Featured Speakers: Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek (Temple University, Brookings Institution), Dr. Scott Miller (Avonworth Primary Center), and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

• How Play Can Improve Mental Health and Wellbeing
  Thursday, February 4, 2021 | 9 – 11 a.m.

  Hear from Sarah Grubb, Cindy Eggleton, and Sheba Gittens about play’s role in mental health and wellbeing. Featured Speakers: Cindy Eggleton (Brilliant Detroit), Sarah Grubb (ELRC Region 5), and Sheba Gittens (University of Pittsburgh).

• Addressing Equity Issues Through Playful Learning
  Thursday, February 4, 2021 | 3 – 5 p.m.

  Dr. Nikole Hollins-Sims and Dr. Mandy McGuire will present their work on using play and playful learning to address inequity. Featured Speakers: Dr. Nikole Hollins-Sims (PaTTAN) and Dr. Mandy McGuire (University of Texas at Dallas).

• Activating Communities Around Playful Learning
  Tuesday, February 9, 2021 | 3 – 5 p.m.

  Ariana Brazier, Justin Forzano, Shari Hersh, Gamar Markarian, and Sarah Siplak, will discuss what it means to activate communities and how their communities inform the work they do. Featured Speakers: Ariana Brazier (ATL Parent Like a Boss), Justin Forzano (Open Field), Shari Hersh (Mural Arts), Gamar Markarian (New School), and Sarah Siplak (Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative).

• Using Technology to Strengthen the Way We Learn and Play
  Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

  Learn about technologies and applications from Katie Gullone, Megan Rooney, Javier Maisonet, and Project Rangeet. Featured Speakers: Elias Blinkoff (Temple Infant & Child Lab), Katie Gullone (Trying Together), Javier Maisonet (Math Talk), Simran Mulchandani (Project Rangeet), and Megan Rooney (La Escuelita Arcoiris).

• Replicable and Low-Cost Ideas for Playful Learning
  Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | 3 – 5 p.m.

  Explore low-cost and replicable ways to encourage playful learning from Shannon Merenstein, Amy Kronenberg, Rebecca Fabiano, and Aishwarya Narayana. Featured Speakers: Rebecca Fabiano (Fab Youth Philly), Amy Kronenberg (Learn to Earn Dayton), Shannon Merenstein (HATCH Art Studio), and Aishwarya Narayana (HUME).

To register, visit the online registration page. General Admission tickets cost $55 and include admission to all sessions. Single session registration is also available for $10 per session. The following discount codes are available for early educators who wish to participate in individual sessions or the entire series:

• EDU-ALL for $25 price for all six workshops

• EDU-CHOOSE for $5 per workshop

Attendees will receive the Zoom link for each day’s session prior to the start of the event.