Kathy was introduced to KaBOOM! through a U Play! conference, one of our annual training sessions on play. Subsequently, she has been giving presentations and trainings on the importance of unstructured play throughout the great state of Idaho. Kathy is the Playmaker of the Month because she exemplifies the heart of this national movement for play. Thank you Kathy for helping make play a priority in your state! The following is our interview with this phenomenal play advocate.

Q. Why are you an advocate for play?
A. Children! They’re our future and so important. In today’s world our children are forgetting how to play. Either because they don’t have a safe place to play, a safe adult to go outdoors with or no time in their over- busy schedule. There are lots of structured opportunities for children in sports, but unstructured play time is few and far in between. Where did the hours of playing tag, pretending, climbing, inspecting bugs or building forts go?

Q. How are you advocating for play?
A. I have been advocating for play mostly through offering consultation and training to those in the field of education. I had the opportunity to help the city where I live, upgrade our city park playground. It was very outdated and unsafe. What a wonderful feeling providing a new safe place for children to play.

Through my employer Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership Head Start, I had the opportunity to receive my training and certification to become a Certified Playground Safety Inspector. Also through my employer's support I attended the National Program for Playground Safety’s S.A.F.E. playgrounds training. This past year Idaho STARS a part of the 211 initiative, accepted me as an approved trainer. I am excited about helping others learn about the importance of outdoor play as well as giving them the tools to build and maintain safe and fun playgrounds for children.

Q. How long have you been a play advocate?
A. My introduction to playgrounds and playground safety started 3 years ago when I attended a one day seminar on playground safety. After that I attended the National Parks and Recreation CPSI program. Last year, I had the wonderful privilege of attending the National Program for Playground Safety, S.A.F.E. school. After meeting the wonderful women who have made playground safety a priority and are such advocates I was even more excited about getting the word out.

Q. In your own words why is unstructured/unrestricted play so important?
A. Recently I became interested in the importance of outdoor play on children’s cognitive, physical and social development after reading, “Last Child in the Woods.” Our children are becoming disconnected with the outside world. Some children are notably behind when it comes to gross motor skills because they are sitting in front of a computer or the television for too many hours a day. Children are missing opportunities to explore on their own, to form friendships, experiment and pretend. We live in a world that is fast paced and hectic. Let’s allow our children to be children, they will grow-up fast enough.

Congratulations Kathy on all the amazing work you are doing as a Playmaker!