Play Smart Literacy

Program Overview

Play Smart Literacy's two-generation program model is based on the belief that every parent has the ability to improve their child's future. Our mission to build language and relationships through play is guided by the conviction that positivity, play and talk are a recipe for forging strong adult-child relationships that move development forward.

Programming aims to build social capital and targets families with children from birth to age 5 living in underserved Chicago communities. Play Smart literacy works to empower adults by offering access to high-quality early learning experiences, increasing knowledge about the positive impacts of play and adult-child conversations on early development, and supporting adults in cultivating skills and forming habits that create positive environments rich with opportunities for talk and play. Play Smart programming helps build a toolbox of practical, science-based strategies so that families can ensure their children enter kindergarten ready to achieve.

Program components include: in-person Play-visits held weekly at neighborhood locations, goals for Play Dates at Home (10-minutes of focused play) followed by the completion of a Play Date at Home Form – a quick online survey that shares the experience and provides information to help identify strengths and challenges that allow PSL staff to better support families in building strong language environments for their children, Tech Components offer free digital resources that encourage and support positive adult-child interactions, and in-person Mini-meetings short (5 – 10-minute) meetings held after each Play-visit (or at the request of families) to provide additional support for implementing talk and play methods.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

PSL works with Maggie Drummond Head Start to enhance family engagement. Laurie became involved with PSL through her work there, as a Classroom Aide. In addition to her work with preschoolers, Laurie spends time with her toddler-grandson, Damario. Since December she has used Play Dates at Home regularly to engage in and share experiences with Darmario. Laurie also began using talk and play strategies in her classroom.

With this program component, Laurie has become more engaged with her grandson and her students. Because sharing information is part of the process, PSL staff was able to see Laurie's progression – to recognize, acknowledge and support her growth as both dedicated grandparent and childcare professional.

One week, Laurie shared videos of her talk and play with a small group of students; the play theme was letter T. Together, Laurie and the children made turkey pinwheel snacks and she prompted talk about the letter T for turkey. Using talk and play techniques and sharing her experiences, Laurie encouraged families from her classroom to do the same. Laurie's use of talk and play inspires others and illustrates one way that PSL empowers adults to create positive environments rich with opportunities for talk and play.