The Play Everywhere Challenge

Topic:The Importance of PlayIn This Episode:[01:50] Aisha Alexander is introduced.[02:02] Aisha shares what KaBOOM! is.[02:40] Aisha provides why play opportunities are so important.[04:06] Aisha explains why access to play is an issue.[06:02] Aisha describes the Play Everywhere Challenge.[09:08] Aisha states how people can learn more about KaBOOM! and the Play Everywhere Challenge.[09:38] Mike comments how playspaces have dual benefits.[10:16] Aisha expresses how kids are indicator species for cities.Guest/Organization:…Aisha Alexander is a Director of External Affairs for KaBOOM!, where she leads efforts promote the creation of kid-friendly cities. She attended Hampton University, where she earned her BA in English and Early Childhood Education; and Temple University, earning a Master of Social Work, concentrating in Community and Policy Practice. Before joining KaBOOM!, she worked in municipal government, most recently for the City of Charlotte, where she managed the city’s neighborhood improvement programs. Aisha is an expert in community engagement, neighborhood quality of life and social sector innovation.……Take Away Quotes:“KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit organization that’s committed to making sure that all kids have the access to the play opportunities they need to thrive.”“There’s lots of reasons that play is really important. Number one, we believe that play is a fundamental right of childhood; it is the work of children.”“We realized through our community-built playgrounds that we could not address the problem at scale, and so we worked with Ideas42, a behavioral research firm, to figure out what are the barriers to play, and when we looked at those barriers, we found out that what needs to happen to be able to give access to all kids is to really make play everywhere.”“We really wanted to have this Play Everywhere Challenge to help spur these types of ideas of how you can infuse play into everyday spaces where kids and families are already spending time.”Resources:Infinite Earth Radio Episode 053: Civil Rights and Access to Recreation and Open Space (Re-release) with Robert GarciaPlay Everywhere ChallengeThe Play Everywhere PlaybookKaBOOM