Brenna Hassinger?Das|Andres S. Bustamante|Kathy Hirsh?Pasek|Roberta Michnick Golinkoff
Learning Landscapes: Playing the Way to Learning and Engagement in Public Spaces
Pace University|Temple University|Temple University|Brookings Institution|University of Delaware
children underresourced communities regularly enter formal schooling lagging behind peers deficits areas language development reading readiness even kind spatial skills predict later mathematical knowledge may persist throughout lifespan address gaps policymakers focused largely schooling great equalizer yet children spend 20 waking hours school developmental scientists educators address ldquoother 80rdquo benefit childrenrsquos development one answer learning landscapes initiative involves crafting carefully planned play experiences focus learning outcomes particularly children families underresourced communities playful learning broad pedagogical approach featuring childdirected play methods provides unique way foster learning engagement organically within built environment learning landscapes already incorporates several welldocumented projects ultimate block party brought 50000 people central park engage playful learning activities supermarkets became hotspots caregiverchild interaction simply adding prompts caregiverchild interaction signage everyday ldquotrappedrdquo experiences urban thinkscape transformed bus stop adjacent lot hub playful learning families waiting public transportation finally parkopolis lifesize human board game fosters stem reasoning skills public spaces paper reflects data projects reflecting lessons learned future directions