the arts and sciences of play
a family celebration of play
Our
Vision
Bringing
Play, Learning
& Research Together
the arts and sciences of play
•
Where the science of learning meets old
fashioned play
•
Connecting play to scientific
and artistic achievements
•
Smiles, brains-on-fire, and creativity
that will drive our country’s future
•
A forum to bring play, research and learning to families
•
Children learning in their
natural habitat with their
families
the arts and sciences of play
Our Goal
Making the Science
and Learning of
Play Part of Every
Family’s Life
•
To build a public
groundswell about the
importance of play for
fostering lifelong
learning in the
sciences and the arts
•
To create a
sustainable
national
infrastructure
about play and
learning beyond
the launch event
Who hundreds
will the Ultimate
Block
Party
From
of thousands
in New
Yorkreach?
City to
millions worldwide
the arts and sciences of play
the arts and sciences of play
New York City’s Central Park was
the first
communal meeting ground for:
•
Families
•
Educators
•
Pediatricians, social
workers, psychologists,
family therapists
•
Health professionals
•
Reporters and
journalists
•
Urban planners
Why have the
Ultimate Block Party?
the
the arts
arts and
and sciences
sciences of
of play
play
•
From blocks to architecture, scribbling to painting, and sandbox to
boardroom, the skills that prepare successful adults emerge in the
play of young children.
•
Hands-on activities demonstrate the transformative power of play
for learning throughout childhood.
•
It's about BECOMING! All the things children want to be when they
grow up – from the next Einstein to the next Picasso – are
foreshadowed in their play!
•
Families want to know why play matters and
how they can play together.
why NOW ?
the arts and sciences of play
Play is a child’s natural way to
learn and grow
Play is being removed from everyday
life … beginning as early as
preschool
…and our future depends on the children of today
Who is developing the
Block Party?
the arts and sciences of play
UBP is led by an advisory group of prominent institutions and individuals in early learning,
psychology, play, publishing and family and work issues including researchers from
leading universities:
•
•
•
•
Dr. Ellen Galinsky, Family and Work Institute
Dr. Alice Wilder, Educational Psychologiest
and co-creator of Blues Clues, Super Why and
Think It Ink It
Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Sesame Workshop
Research Director
Joan Almon, Director, Alliance for Childhood
…to name a few
The executive team of UBP includes:
•
•
•
•
•
Andrew Ackerman, Executive Director,
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Leslie Bushara, Deputy Director of Education
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Temple University
Dr. Roberta Golinkoff, University of Delaware
Susan Magsamen, author, creator of Curiosity
Kits and FamilyStories
the arts and sciences of play
The UBP makes
learning visible:
The ONLY Block Party that
combines dozens of
activity areas for kids 3
and older with experts to
help the adults see how
play = learning
What’s
the arts and sciences of play
30 Play
Stations
& 30
Mini-Master
Workshops
on the
Block?
Drawing
Blocks
Collage
Make Believe
Pots & Pans
Clay
Cooking
Deconstruct
Balls
Doll Play
Dress Up
Storytelling
Games
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=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
Graphic Designer
Architect
Artist
Actor
Musician
Engineer, Sculptor
Chemist, Scientist
Computer Scientist
Athlete
Nurse
Fashion Design
Writer
Business Person, Military
Making the connections
between Play and Science
the arts and sciences of play
Parents, educators, policy-makers and children
are engaged in the science of play, where the
connection between science and learning will be
playfully demonstrated.
EQUALS
the arts and sciences of play
Realizing
the Goal
Scientific ‘nuggets’ about learning
are revealed at each activity
center. Links between science and
art are vividly illustrated
through playful activities.
Examples include:
Paper folding links to spatial learning
Simon Says links to self control
Boat building links to hypothesis testing
Theater links to perspective talking
Music training links to math
A Healthy Block Party
Play is critical to mental and physical health
the arts and sciences of play
• Stress reduction
• Creative thinking
• Relaxation
• Emotional and social
development
• Relationships
• Depression
• Mood disorders
• General well-being
• Team-building
• Healthy eating
• Sleep
Ultimate Block Party Messages
• Playing is Learning
the arts and sciences of play
• Childhood is a Journey
• Dare to Fail
• Foster a Lifetime of Discovery &
Curiosity
• Creative Children = Creative futures
What Communications
Tools is our Messaging
Campaign Employ?
the arts and sciences of play
• Interactive Ultimate Block Party Website
• Books including informational and
inspirational titles
• Magazine features and ongoing columns
• Television and radio programming
• Educational webinars
• Workshops for parents and educators
• Year-round follow-up programs in parks
and cultural organizations
How We Get the Word Out?
the arts and sciences of play
• Combined power of UBP partners reaching out to the press
• Media partners to carry pre- and post-event
messages
• National spokespeople and
researchers available
• Low-cost marketing on
telephone kiosks & public
buses
the arts and sciences of play
How BIG can the
Block Party
Get?!
Beginning in New York City,
the Ultimate Block Party is
rolling out nationally to
become an annual event in
towns and cities around the
U.S. and world
The first Ultimate Block Party in New York City l
resulted in a detailed blueprint for creating
Ultimate Block Parties in other places, and a
website of resources
The Party Line
the arts and sciences of play
Sponsors Will:
• Be leaders in helping families help their children
• Be linked to positive, fun messages in multiple
formats
• Be afforded year-round visibility beyond the oneday event
Sponsors can participate by:
• Cash sponsorships
• Significant in-kind donations
• Significant in-kind expertise
For more information on becoming
an Ultimate Block Party sponsor,
please contact Susan Royer at
sroyer@ultimateblockparty.org
The time is NOW for us to
stand up and
the arts and sciences of play
play together!