In 2007 Better Kid Care Published a Parents Count Article Titled Making a Playful Home

In 2007 Better Kid Care published a Parents Count article titled “Making a Playful Home” focusing on the importance of families spending more time playing with their children. This year Patty Graff, Better Kid Care Coordinator for Penn State Cooperative Extension in Westmoreland County, offered four different opportunities for children and families to do just that, PLAY.

In April, during the Month of the Young Child, Patty first paired up with her local community to offer a Family Day of Play at the local social hall. After moving all the tables and chairs out of the way she accessed resources from her former family day care home so children and families had the opportunity to play with boxes of all sizes and shapes, tubes that connected to make cars, chairs, and more. Blocks were available of all types, colors, shapes and sizes. The highlight of the day was the Imagination Playground http://www.imaginationplayground.com/ borrowed from PAEYC, the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children. The following day Patty and more families were found in the conference room at the Penn State Extension office gathered together to play, share ideas, create and collaborate.

Patty, being a playful person, knows what can be learned while engaged in play. She wants adults to remember their times playing when young. She wants them to share those memories while involved in play with their child. Children grow emotionally, socially, mentally, and physically during play of all types. Best of all, Patty wants families to realize playing can reduce stress in the home. Play can help everyone relax and enjoy family time and can give them some great memories to share together.

With the success of the Family Day of Play in April Patty vowed to do it another time, and she did. The weekend of July 16 and 17 she once again connected with PAEYC and borrowed the Imagination Playground. Patty offered this play opportunity at a local fund raising event and then again to more families the next day at the Penn State Extension office. Knowing Patty this will become an annual event.