Just Play Afterschool

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Pandemic Play after school

Just Play Project piloted an afterschool play program in Fall 2020, as a direct result of the pandemic. Due to COVID-19 and rising cases in Tompkins County near the end of summer 2020, JPP needed to shift summer play program funding, received by United Way of Tompkins County, to the fall. JPP anticipated there would be a need for afterschool programming. Once schools announced they would reopen for in-person instruction, JPP considered ways to offer time and space for safe, reliable, and joyful play, especially for children who had not played with other children in over 6 months. September and October 2020 were uncertain times, but JPP took a leap and offered an 8-week afterschool play program to a small cohort of 15 neighborhood children (ages 4.5-13), 4 days a week, for 3 hours a day (2:30pm-5:30pm), in Wood Street Park, at no cost to families. Those 8-weeks were pure magic. Intentionally located in a public park within the neighborhood, children could walk, bike, scoot (sometimes on their own) to the park. Two caring playworkers were there to greet them (and ensure COVID-19 safety protocols). Playworkers animated Wood St. Park with loose parts (e.g. pool noodles, pots & pans, balls, chalk, water for play, fabric, markers, etc.) and supported their play – ensuring it was freely chosen, personally directed, and intrinsically motivated. Over those 2 months, JPP playworkers created strong connections with both children and families and heard directly from them how important the program was for their family and how they did not want it to end. One mom said her daughter “is learning virtually for school, so this is the only socialization she has… she loves it… and would 100% do this again.” A 9-year kid said “there’s not a lot of places like this… and I’ve been to a lot of places. It gives kids a chance to do what they want… without being told to do things.” After the first day of the program, a 9-year old said “Can we do this again next year?!” JPP is offering a 10-week spring 2021 afterschool program.

 

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) International Treaty

ARTICLE 31

“THAT EVERY CHILD HAS THE RIGHT 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.”

THE CRC IS THE MOST WIDELY RATIFIED INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS TREATY - PROTECTING AND RESPECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN WORLDWIDE. SINCE 1989, 195 OF 196 STATE-PARTIES HAVE RATIFIED THE CRC...LEAVING THE UNITED STATES AS THE SOLE COUNTRY NOT TO RATIFY THE CRC.