“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning.” – Mr. Rogers
Play is a fundamental aspect of a child’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, providing them with the tools to understand and navigate the world around them.
Playgrounds and playful learning spaces are not just recreational spaces; they can be the cornerstone in the foundation of healthy, thriving communities supporting both child development and literacy skills. With equitable access to quality play and playful learning spaces, we can pave the way for a future where all children can grow, learn, and flourish through the power of play.
Recognizing the pivotal role of play in child development, Heidi Segall Levy, AIA, SEED, Senior Project Manager, and the Watchdog team is proud to be a part of several exciting projects promoting play equity and playful learning. These projects include:
- The KaBOOM! 25 in 5 initiative to end playspace inequity. This ambitious five-year, $250 million plan aims to accelerate efforts to achieve playspace equity across the United States. As part of this initiative, we assisted KaBOOM!’s team with: creating a story map representing the play inequities existing in Philadelphia neighborhoods; identifying potential sites for a new playground; engaging the community in the playground design; and recruiting volunteers for the construction of a new playground for The Lighthouse 1893 in the Kensington community.
- Live and Learn – a pilot project to incorporate playful learning into two affordable housing sites in North Philadelphia. Watchdog was awarded a Literacy Rich Environment grant by The William Penn Foundation to support this effort.
- The creation of a university level course to teach future architects and other designers how to integrate playful learning into the design of public spaces. In partnership with Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network (PLLAN) and Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Watchdog is working on the development of two pilot courses which will result in a “course in a box” that universities worldwide can use in the future. As part of the pilot courses, Watchdog is managing the implementation of the students’ designs for playful learning installations in the East Parkside neighborhood.
- The KaBOOM! Play Everywhere Philly program which awarded $1 million in grants to Philadelphia community-based nonprofit organizations to create community-driven playful learning spaces in their neighborhoods to promote early childhood literacy and learning.
As Watchdog just celebrated our 20th anniversary, we reflect on our Core Values of Community, Authenticity, Integrity, Passion, Entrepreneurship, and Empowerment. While these values drive our company culture, we also recognize the impact they have on fostering a society that values inclusivity and well-rounded development. Play equity is not just about providing access to recreational activities; it’s about building a foundation for holistic development within communities.
Heidi and the Watchdog team are champions for creating inclusive spaces, with equitable access, sensory-rich elements, and layouts that promote positive interaction. These spaces are part of a collective effort to address disparities, promote inclusive designs, engage communities, and advocate for policies that prioritize the right of every child to play.
