Why Play Matters for Children | Every Child Thrives Festival

Why does play matter for children and the futures we want to create? Dr. David Johns explores the power of play and imagination in helping children thrive. Johns, CEO and executive director of the National Black Justice Collective, put play at the center of our thinking about children and their futures. He challenges us to imagine what could become possible when play is recognized as essential, not insignificant. Johns shared these reflections on stage at the inaugural Every Child Thrives Festival at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Hosted by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the three-day festival brought together youth, families, educators, community advocates and artists to reimagine the future of education and community, elevate youth leadership and turn ideas into action. His lightning talk was part of “Imagine if We Got It Right,” a festival session that invited speakers to fast-forward 10 years and envision a future in which something has fundamentally shifted so children can truly thrive. Drawing from lived experience and professional insight, speakers shared ideas about what that future could look like and what it might take to make it possible. What could change if we treated play as an essential part of childhood? Share your perspective in the comments. #PowerOfPlay #ChildDevelopment #Children #EveryChildThrives #EveryChildThrivesFestival Learn more about the W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Every Child Thrives: https://everychildthrives.com/ Homepage: https://www.wkkf.org/home LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/kelloggfoundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelloggfoun... Facebook:   / kelloggfoundation   For more Every Child Thrives content on YouTube, check out our playlist:    • Every Child Thrives - EveryChildThrives.com