The Genius of Play and Scholastic Inc. Team Up to Promote the Importance of Play

Educational Program Will Provide Parents and Educators with Play Activities and Resources

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Mar 06, 2018, 08:55 ET

NEW YORK, March 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Genius of Play, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to promoting the importance of play in children's learning and development, today announced its educational program collaboration with Scholastic. The program aims to help parents and elementary school teachers nationwide learn about the valuable skills and benefits of play for children in grades 2-5. Parents and educators can access resources, activities, and more at Scholastic.com/thegeniusofplay.

The Genius of Play experts suggest that children have a balance of indoor and outdoor play, quiet and active play, traditional and digital play, and activities done alone and in a group, as play is critical to a child's learning, success, and well-being. The organization's joint collaboration with Scholastic will offer parents and educators a digital destination featuring printable activities for school and home, as well as resources, ideas, research, and more information from TheGeniusofPlay.org.

The website also provides teachers with suggested easy-to-implement lesson plans featuring fun ways to incorporate play into classrooms while meeting higher academic standards, with a focus on activities that enhance literacy and math skills. Parents will have access to take-home print materials with play ideas for busy days and suggestions of new games to try both indoors and outdoors.

"We are delighted to partner with Scholastic Inc. to offer parents resources and ideas to enhance learning through play, as well as provide teachers with playful and educational activities to integrate into classrooms," said Anna Yudina, Director, Marketing Initiatives of the Toy Association, the group that spearheads The Genius of Play. "Research shows that the impact of play on the brain and learning is remarkable. It is critical that parents and educators have easy access to play-based activities designed to enhance children's physical, emotional, social, cognitive, creative, and communicative development."

The program will begin in March 2018 and will run through the summer months. For additional information and play ideas, visit TheGeniusofPlay.org and TheGeniusofPlay.org/Teachers.

About The Genius of Play
The Genius of Play is a national movement to raise awareness of play's vital role in child development, spearheaded by the Toy Association. Deeply rooted in research and facts, The Genius of Play is a leading resource on the physical, cognitive, social and emotional benefits of play that serve children throughout their lives. The Genius of Play enables today's busy parents and caretakers to use the power of play to help raise a happier, healthier, and more productive next generation. Visit www.TheGeniusOfPlay.org for easily accessible play ideas and tips, expert advice and other play resources. It's More Than Play!

SOURCE The Genius of Play