Two ThroughPLAY Programs

There are two versions of the ThroughPlay program, each containing unique film, photography, music, and take-home booklets. One program is simply called "ThroughPlay" and is focused on the overall benefits of play for children and adults. Our second program is called "ThroughPlay in Nature" and places a greater emphasis on time spent enjoying nature. 

In both programs we cover what it means to play and what the experience feels like. Both programs also emphasize that play extends beyond childhood and has lifelong benefits for adults who continue to explore their passions. 

Research Support

"Several parts of the ThroughPlay presentation resonated with us as a family. We especially enjoyed the discussion and videos of attunement play. The presentation was well thought out, engaging, and visually pleasing"                                                                                                                                                                

Both of our ThroughPlay programs began as funded research projects, so we know something about their effectiveness, and we are learning more all the time. The original ThroughPlay program was supported by grants from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation and the University of Utah Entrepreneurial Faculty Scholars Program to study parents with children in early childhood. The ThroughPlay in Nature program was funded by the Kendeda Fund to support research on military families with young children. Written feedback from parents who have seen our multimedia presentation has been enthusiastic (see the quote above) . Recently, we started digging into the data we collected before and after the program, and it confirms the program's positive impact. Compared to parents who filled out our questionnaires but did not attend the program, the parents who attended ThroughPlay:

1. Had increased knowledge and more positive attitudes about play;
2. Became more supportive of their children's play, spent more time playing with them, and their children engaged in more free play on their own.
3. Reported more deep engagement in their own passionate interests and hobbies.

Our research continues, but these findings suggest that the small amount of time parents invested attending ThroughPlay had benefits for the entire family. Parents who were more attune to their own play experiences, were less likely to dismiss the importance of their children's play.