Ultimate Block Party in Central Park

Come on out on October 3, 2010 as we kiss Summer good-bye with the Ultimate Block Party, which is taking place at the Naumburg Bandshell section in New York City’s Central Park!

This free event is the first larger-than-life “play date” in a national education movement and will transform New York City’s Central Park on Sunday, October 3, from 11 am – 5pm, into the world’s largest playground, demonstrating the real power of fun and games for learning and helping to reinforce that how we play as children helps form what we become as adults.

Families with children up to age 12 are invited to participate in playful activities and mini-master classes with leading architects, scientists, engineers, musicians, artists, inventors and business leaders from around the City, as they share a vision of learning based in scientific research – and founded in child’s play.  The event will include the largest game of Simon Says as well as more than two dozen interactive and inspiring activities.

The creators of the Ultimate Block Party believe that “play is serious business, but unfortunately, it’s also a fast-diminishing commodity for today’s kids, leading to a growing crisis for future innovation and the 21st Century workforce.  Ultimate Block Party aims to bring playful learning back to the forefront!”

From blocks to architecture, scribbling to fine art, sandbox to boardroom, many vital skills that help prepare young people for success in the business landscape originate in the playroom.  The overwhelming lack of playtime has become a national predicament with alarming, far-reaching implications.  In 1981, 40% of children’s time was spent in play.  By 1997, that number had shrunk to only 25%.  Recent reports reveal further disturbing findings: in the last two decades, kids have lost eight hours of free play per week and 30,000 schools across the U.S. have eliminated recess to make time for more academic study – despite scientific findings that link recess to better concentration and more effective learning.

In addition, on Friday, October 1, at 10 a.m. EST, The Goddard School, a national chain of innovative preschools, will stage a coast-to-coast series of events (“Mini Block Parties”) to highlight the power of play in learning, including a synchronized Simon Says. The Friday activities preview Goddard’s involvement on Sunday, October 3, as the exclusive preschool sponsor of Play for Tomorrow’s %3

Tags: family activities
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