Society
Play
Today's kids are coming of age against a backdrop of political, social, technological, and economic upheaval. While these circumstances are shaping a precocious generation that is changing society and redefining cultural norms, kids are also struggling with mental health issues, the pressures of social media, and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on key developmental years....
Imagine a world in which every kid in every city can go outside and explore the natural world. Urban ecology centers model outdoor play and promote connection, while restoring natural beauty to cities. How can urban leaders transform blighted parks into catalysts for social and environmental change? How can we spread this big idea to cities around the world? An expert pres...
American pro sports make a lot of money. Had it not been for the pandemic, the industry in North America was projected to generate $75.7 billion per year in revenue, a tally that includes ticket sales, television contracts, concessions, and advertising. Less easy to calculate — but also significant — is the impact of sports on communities. Sports have a profoundly positive...
The Covid-19 crisis isn’t easy to bear as adults but what about young kids and teenagers?
NBA star Kevin Love gets real about depression and mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.
Time outdoors can make us healthier. But there’s more. Could the social and economic benefits of the great outdoors promote cohesion in and among communities that are finding it harder to relate to one another? Longtime leader of a purple state, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, and Jerry Stritzke, CEO of REI, America’s largest consumer cooperative with $2.6 billion in...
When Big Bird has “big feelings,” he imagines himself in a comfy-cozy nest, soothed by the smell of baking cookies. The Count teaches the Cookie Monster a breathing technique to ease agitation while the green monster Rosita punches a pillow to release her anger. These Muppet characters are part of a Sesame Street in Communities project that provides free online resources,...
Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller talks about working on Rent, Hamilton, and other shows.
By trying to provide a perfect childhood, parents may be making it harder for their kids to grow up.
The tiny town of Norwich, Vermont, has likely produced more Olympians per capita than anywhere else.
Thinking about the far-off future isn’t just an exercise in intellectual curiosity. It’s a practical skill that, as new research reveals, has a direct neurological link to greater creativity, empathy, and optimism. In this session from master game designer and acclaimed futurist Jane McGonigal, you’ll learn three practical habits that will increase the power of your imagin...
Michelle Obama says play, nutrition, and physical activity aren’t available to every child.
How can 20 hours of focused practice help you develop surprising levels of new skills?