This unique leadership opportunity is designed for select NAA members to share the message about the value of play with other afterschool professionals, families and communities.

Together, The Genius of Play and NAA selected the inaugural cohort of 20 Play Ambassadors to serve through the 2018 – 2019 school year and advocate for the importance of play for children. Play Ambassadors will receive exclusive access to the latest research, expert tips and more—including hundreds of play ideas and other resources available at TheGeniusofPlay.org.

"The opportunity to enjoy and experience play is foundational to a high-quality afterschool learning experience," said Gina Warner, president and CEO of the National Afterschool Association. "We welcome this partnership to help the afterschool professionals in our field build their skills and knowledge base in this area, while also expanding the message of the value and importance of play for all children."

Play Ambassadors will be putting information and tools in action by holding several events, including a workshop for afterschool colleagues and teachers, a community play day, and a seminar for parents and caregivers. Additionally, Play Ambassadors will have the opportunity to create trainings and workshops using the research and to spread the word about the importance of play on social media.

"We are extremely excited to partner with NAA on this initiative as both organizations have children's healthy development at its core," said Anna Yudina, director of marketing initiatives at The Toy Association, the group that spearheads The Genius of Play. "We hope that the Play Ambassadors will serve as catalysts of the growing play movement by helping to educate parents and caregivers on the many benefits of play to child development and bringing more play to afterschool programs, communities and kids' lives."

For additional information about The Genius of Play and healthy play habits for kids, visit The Genius of Play.

Courtesy of NAA.