“The most powerful way children learn is through play.”

-American Academy of Pediatrics

States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.” 

-Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (1989). Convention on the rights of the child: General Assembly Resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989. Article 31, Number 1.

our advocacy priorities

Alliance for Childhood promotes and advocates for PLAY that is: 

child-directed,

intrinsically motivated,

active,

open-ended, and

freely chosen.

Our Legislative and Policy Priorities 

Funding and infrastructure for the development, implementation and sustainment of: 

• Safe, well-designed, equipped and staffed opportunities for play…

  −   in both public and private spaces such as community centers, libraries, parks, nature centers, schools, etc.

  −   with our primary focus on outdoor, loose parts and adventure play

• Professional development for playworkers; training and education for teachers, recreation specialists, outdoor educators, parents and others on how to support children’s play

• Access for all to play spaces including safe walking and biking routes, and public transportation

• Access for all to high quality, play-based early childhood education

• Adequate recess for play during in-school time