The Play Lab Family Centered Early Intervention

12/27/2025

Leadership isn’t positional—it’s relational.

In this uplifting session, Kimberlee Burt Hendricks, Chief Engagement Officer at A Child’s Space 2, explores why play isn’t just for children—it's a vital leadership practice that fuels creativity, connection, and emotional well-being. Through stories, research, and reflective experiences, you’ll discover how neuroscience and established leadership models show that play isn’t a distraction from leadership, but a catalyst for it.

After this session, participants will be able to:
🧠 Explain how neuroscience supports the role of play in fostering creativity, focus, and well-being in both children and adults.
🌱 Identify leadership models—servant, whole, transformational, and psychological safety—that align with playful, human-centered practice.
🤝 Reflect on strategies for integrating play into daily professional interactions to strengthen trust, connection, and team culture.

🗓️ May 21, 2026 | 2–3:30 PM EST
🎟️ Register free: https://ecewebinars.com/3Y9Ag7J

12/07/2025

Check out my article, “Play 101: The Basics,” a reproducible handout for newbies, in the latest issue of Exchange magazine, out now. Up next: presenting at Exchange’s 12/5 Protecting Play online conference. See you there!

12/07/2025

Every thriving classroom has one thing in common. Play is at the center.

In "All Roads Lead to Play," Dan Huber reflects on years of observing what truly makes classrooms come alive. Read the article and join the movement to keep play front and center.

✨ hub.exchangepress.com/articles-on-demand/70435

12/04/2025

On Friday, December 5, 2025, Exchange, in collaboration with Nature Explore, is bringing together more than 15 inspiring voices for Protecting Play, a 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 online conference designed to uplift and safeguard the power of play.

➡ 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆: hub.exchangepress.com/shop/protecting-play

You will hear from leaders like Kisa Marx, Richard Cohen, Heather Bernt-Santy, Carol Garboden Murray, Stacy Benge, Stephanie Goloway, and many more.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, this event is free to attend, but space is limited, so save your spot today!

11/27/2025

Process over Product Art☝🏾🙌🏾

11/17/2025

11/10/2025

REPOST:

On Wednesday, November 5th, federal agents entered the licensed early learning center Rayito de Sol and detained Diana, an early childhood educator. This harmful act has caused fear and confusion among the children and families of Rayito de Sol, as well as the broader early childhood community. The aggressive incident undermines the sense of safety and stability that is essential to the well-being of the children our early learning system is designed to support.

Please join the parents of Rayito de Sol to pack the court in support of Diana on Thursday, November 13th at 9:30am, at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse (219 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60604).

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El miércoles 5 de noviembre, agentes federales ingresaron al centro de educación infantil Rayito de Sol, que cuenta con licencia, y detuvieron Diana, a una educadora. Este acto perjudicial ha generado temor y confusión entre los niños y las familias de Rayito de Sol, así como en toda la comunidad de la primera infancia. Este incidente violento socava la sensación de seguridad y estabilidad, esencial para el bienestar de los niños a quienes nuestro sistema de educación infantil está diseñado para apoyar.

Únase a los padres de Rayito de Sol para llenar la corte en apoyo de Diana el jueves 13 de noviembre a las 9:30am, en el Tribunal Federal Dirksen (219 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60604).