This site has a great deal of valuable instructional information on what parents and caretakers of children can do to optimize their children's development. Be sure to check out, under the "Science" menu the "Key Concepts" topics, particularly the material on "Serve & Return" which explains how particular types of...
IPA – International Play Association – World
IPA is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1961. It provides a forum for exchange and action across disciplines and across sectors. IPA member groups initiate a wide variety of projects that promote the child's right to play, with members in close to 50 countries. These include seminars, conferences, study...
IPA – International Play Association – USA
IPA-USA carries forth the mission of its parent organization, IPA World. To accomplish the Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles, IPA-USA does the following: Advocates for the ratification by the USA on the Convention of the Rights of the Child Acts as a resource for other national and international organizations and...
Joe Frost’s personal Library on Play
The Frost Play Research Collection was dedicated in the spring of 2004, with the goal of becoming the largest children's play and play environments research collection in the United States. A board composed of UIW faculty and other advisors oversees the direction and development of the collection. To see a...
Learning Policy Institute
The Learning Policy Institute conducts and communicates independent, high-quality research to improve education policy and practice. Working with policymakers, researchers, educators, community groups, and others, the Institute seeks to advance evidence-based policies that support empowering and equitable learning for each and every child. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the Institute connects policymakers...
Outside Play – Take a risk, go play outside
Helping parent, caregivers and educators gain the confidence and skills to support children's outdoor play. Includes interactive journeys through the site for two categories of individuals: 1) parents & caregivers and 2) early childhood educators Also explains what outdoor play is and why it is important. The site is supported...
Physical Activity Research Center (PARC)
In the US, one in three young people are obese or overweight. Toddlers, children and youth from low-income families and historically underserved populations, including African American, American Indian, Latino-Hispanic, Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures, are at highest risk. These same populations often have limited access to safe places and...
Learning Through Play – Lego Foundation
Children already know play is their superpower. We’re here to convince the grown-ups Children are born scientists and explorers Watch children play and you’ll see them experiment, imagine, work together, and overcome emotional ups and downs. They’re stretching their minds as well as their muscles. They’re learning. And they’re picking...
PlayCore
Our Mission Our Mission is building communities through Play & Recreation. Our Values: Play & Recreation We Believe that various forms of play, recreation, and physical activity are essential throughout life as they provide a healthy life balance and greatly enrich people of all ages and abilities. Leadership We Believe...
TASP – The Association for the Study of Play
The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) is the premier professional organization in academia dedicated to interdisciplinary research and theory construction concerning play throughout the world. Presently the Association publishes a quarterly newsletter titled Play Review and an annual volume titled Play & Culture Studies. The Association's broad multidisciplinary...
TIMPANI toy study
Professor Trawick-Smith directs the TIMPANI toy study, which was a ten-year, empirical study that looked at how young children in natural settings play with a variety of toys. The study identified toys that best engage children in intellectual, creative, social, and verbal interactions in preschool classrooms.