Bringing Back Childhood for the Future of Society

The Philadelphia Declaration of Play is pleased to host a three-day event designed to educate, inspire, and help adults join forces to promote a healthier quality of childhood.  Please click on the calendar buttons above to register for one, two or all three of the following activites:

Friday, September 20th, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Smith Memorial Playground

You are invited to an informal gathering that will set the stage for a productive and inspiring experience on Saturday.  The event includes food and drinks and time to play, record play memories, speak with presenters, and meet and network with others committed to improving the lives of children. 

Saturday, September 21st, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Bryn Mawr College

A day-long event with three internationally recognized leaders in the movement to improve the quality of childhood and society.  The morning keynote session features Susan Linn, Ed.D. (Director, Commercial Free Childhood), Joan Almon (Co-Founder of the Alliance for Childhood), and Penny WIlson (Playworker in London, England), with discussant Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek.  In the afternoon, local experts and advocates will lead break out sessions where particpants will learn more about integrating ideas into meaningful social action. includes morning coffee, lunch, and afternoon snacks.  Participants will receive a list of break out sessions via email when registration is complete.

Continuing education credits are available from Bryn Mawr College for social workers and counselors, and from Widener University for psychologists:

1) Continuing education credit for this program is provided by Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research for a maximum of 3 credit hours. As a CSWE accredited program, Bryn Mawr College GSSWSR is a pre-approved provider of continuing education for social workers, professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists in PA and many other states.

Or 2)  Three CE credits will be offered to participants for completing post-workshop forms. The Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, Widener Univeristy, is approved byt he American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists.  Widener University maintains responsibility for the program and its contents

The Philadelphia Declaration of Play is also offering PQAS (PA Quality Assurance System) Professional Development Hours for OCDEL (Office of Child Development and Early Learning) funded daycare centers.  Examples of OCDEL funded initiatives include providers participating in the Keystone Stars, Pre-K Counts, Nurse Family Practitioner, Keystone Babies, and Head Start Supplemental initiatives).  Staff of OCDEL funded centers will receive three (3) hours for the morning keynote session.  Please register under CE credits to ensure that you receive your hours.

Sunday, September 22nd, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at Smith Memorial Playground

Join Penny Wilson for a hands-on workshop on the Playworker movement and playworker profession, and learn what you can do, at work or at home, to promote play.  Sunday session limited to 20 participants.