Shifting perceptions of play: How Open-Ended, Nature-Based Experiences Engage Families and Communication

Abstract

We will be running Healthy Horseplay, but with adults! We will role play and have some of the participants serve as children, and some of them serve as the children, parent or caregiver. We will model what we do at any Healthy Horseplay event (step back, allow for open ended play, ensure safety, reflect on children play, talk with parents/caregivers about play, etc.). After a short role play, we will debrief and discuss. The focus for participants will be to understand how we teach parents about the open-ended play of their children, in the hopes that it will transfer to other play spaces, including at home