Since 2019, Daniela and students in her courses have been involved, through term projects, in re-imagining how urban, community spaces within Waterloo Region can provide greater playful learning opportunities on many levels for young children and families. in these courses, students are applying what they are learning about children's early social pragmatic communicative development and inequities in support and resources to families that can impact children's development, with their own further research into related worldwide "cities for children" initiatives to redevelop urban spaces into areas of greater inclusive and accessible playful learning for all children and families. The students working in teams, in collaboration with Daniela, then come up with their own ideas to enhance these community spaces based on their research in all these areas. The particular community spaces change each term, based on Daniela's meetings with prior interested community members. At the end of the term, the student teams present their proposed spaces to the community members, which to date have included the Waterloo Park Advisory Committee, City of Waterloo Parks Staff, and City of Kitchener Parks Staff. These powerpoint presentations are (will be) featured here! And if any community members are interested in having students work on proposals like this for them, please just get in touch with Daniela.
Playful Learning at UW: Reimagining parts of campus for playful learning for children
Dec. 20, 2022, Presentations to University of Waterloo Student Success Office Managers by undergraduate class PSY470F.
Re-imagining 3 Kitchener Parks for Greater Playful Learning - Oaten, Kinzie and Idlewood
April 12, 2022, Presentations to City of Kitchener Parks Staff by undergraduate class PSY453W.
Re-imagining 3 Areas of Waterloo Park for Greater Playful Learning - Eby Farm Playground, the Forest, and the Victorian Gardens
Dec. 10, 2021, Presentations to City of Waterloo Parks Staff by undergraduate class PSY470F.
Re-imagining Prospect Park in Kitchener
December 13, 2022, Presentations to City of Kitchener Parks Staff by undergraduate class PSY453W.
Creating Greater Community Engagement with Waterloo Park in Wintertime and Throughout the Year
April 6, 2022, Presentation to the Waterloo Park Advisory Committee by graduate seminar class PSY680W.
Re-imagining the Eby Farmstead for Greater Playful Learning
July 10, 2019, Presentation to the Waterloo Park Advisory Committee by graduate class PSY680S.
