“When we are playing with our kiddos, and we have those positive interactions with them, we’re building relationships in a situation that’s not so intense. So, when we are able to play in times of low stress, when stressors do come up, you can open up those communication lines.”

Jennifer Ilardi

Today’s guest is Jennifer Ilardi, the founder of Simple Positive Play. Jennifer sat down with Staci to discuss the inspiration behind Simple Positive Play, how the community benefits from a playful space like this, and how play can prepare children for the classroom.

• K-12 education
  • From Louisiana, Missouri where she had a big sense of community.
  • Went to K-12 there before going to Maryville University where she got her Bachelors in Psychology with a Minor in Communications.
  • Later she went to Marist College for the New York media Experience Program.
  • Received her Master’s Degree from Syracuse University in Library and Information Science.
• What is Simple Positive Play?
  • Jen was feeling restless, so she set up a space in her parents’ driveway where her friends could just come over and play. She thought that if she could create a positive place for her friends and their families, where could she go from there?
  • She continued to host events at her parent’s driveway until she got into an artist’s studio and eventually more locations.
  • The City of Ferguson allows her to use an underutilized building at the January-Wabash Park where she filled it with all sorts of toys and resources.
  • The community has really supported her throughout the growth the past 8 years.
• What is POSITIVE play?
  • The “simple” comes from the notion that every idea has to start somewhere. A scribble on paper, a piece of cardboard.
  • “Positive” comes from Jen’s innate love for spreading positivity.
  • “Playful” refers to the need for everyone to play, adults and children alike, without thinking of it as a cost or punishment if it’s not perfect.
• What kind of activities take place at Simple Positive Play?
  • We’re building relationships in a situation where it’s not so intense.
  • “When we are playing with our kiddos, and we have those positive interactions with them, we’re building relationships in a situation that’s not so intense. So, when we are able to play in times of low stress, when stressors do come up, you can open up those communication lines.”
• What is the age range of families that you work with?
  • The space is big enough to have your kiddo play without having to worry about where they’ve gone to.
  • The space is designed to work with ages 0-9, but they coordinate with events in the community to stretch across the board.
  •  “Being able to play and to be okay with making mistakes, trying again, being playful with it, and having that positive outlook is incredibly important to keep that learning stamina going.” 10:03-10:15
• How does play impact a child’s early ability to learn?
  • It helps them understand how the world works.
  • Whether it’s having a conversation, learning why your building block tower knocked over, just everyday skills and problem solving.
  • Play helps improve fine motor skills.
  • We’re not just saying “okay go play” but we’re modeling behavior to make things more fun and engaging for them.
• Why does a community need a place like Simple Positive Play?
  • Not everybody has the space or funds to create a play environment that keeps up with the ever-changing needs and desires of a young child.
  • The skills learned through positive play translate directly to the classroom.
• Does Simple Positive Play align with the montessori mindset?
  • There is definitely a correlation.
  • It’s self-guided.
• What are some of the misconceptions or challenges that you’ve found while pursuing this as a business?
  • People think that play is simple.
  • They think I open a room and say “go for it” but I’m more of a play hostess.
  • “It’s hard to explain the work I do in the background, but I want you to come in and feel comfortable.”
• What are some challenging aspects of Simple Positive Play
  • When families come in and aren’t sure what they’re getting into. They come in and want to make sure they’re following the rules.
  • We are there to make things comfortable and we are there to help accommodate whether you’re late, you forgot your water bottle, or just need some patience. 
  • You’re not behind, you’re welcome (when we’re open).
• What coaching do you give parents if they want to model the lessons at home?
  • Parents are the experts on their kiddo.
  • It’s a lot of support for parents.
  • “You can observe your kiddo and say ’what I noticed is that…’ You become the observer, and you can take that information to the doctor or any other support system.” 27:55- 28:24
  • The camaraderie for the parents and volunteers as well as the kids’ playtime with each other.
• What should parents work on with play to get them ready for school?
  • BOOKS!
  • Picture books are entertaining, but they use a lot of language that we don’t use every day. 
  • “Getting something in their hand to be able to draw with, whether it’s a marker or a crayon. Scribbles create writers.” 
• How do we find you?
  • simplepositiveplay.org
  • Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/simplepositiveplay/