October 2, 2024
Playful Learning – Promoting Education Equity
Research indicates over 70% of Philadelphia children read below grade level by fourth grade, potentially leading to lifelong struggles. One way to address this need is playful learning. Playful learning focuses on advancing literacy and building community through playful learning design and neighborhood-focused solutions.
About two years ago, KSS Architects joined the Mt. Airy CDC for a community-led project that enabled us to participate in the city’s ongoing efforts to spread education equity through playful learning initiatives.
Mt. Airy CDC, an organization dedicated to improving Northwest Philadelphia’s quality of life, joined the Literacy-Rich Neighborhood Initiative (LRNI) to create literacy-focused playful learning environments. This resulted in completing the master plan of playful learning in Germantown: The Nest, The Hive, and Seeds & Bees.
We are collaborating with Community Venture and Live and Learn initiative to expand education equity by integrating Playful Learning into all affordable housing. Community Venture’s mission is to partner with neighborhood-based organizations to improve communities and to increase the supply of affordable housing.
Children learning and playing within The Hive at the Johnson House Historic Site.
To hear more about playful learning and how important it is to promote equal access to education, please join us at the “Live and Learn: Integrating Playful Learning into Affordable Housing Developments” event on October 9th from 5-7 p.m. Co-hosted by the Carpenters’ Company, ULI Philadelphia, and The Live and Learn project teams, the event will be held at KSS’s Philadelphia Office.
On October 10th, please join us on two tours to see playful learning in action! The first tour “Live and Learn: A Graphic Novel Come to Life at a Philadelphia Affordable Housing Development” will begin at 12 p.m. at the Susquehanna Village Community Room. Come and see how Live and Learn has been embedding playful learning into affordable housing developments.
The next tour is “Neighborhood as Story: A Literacy Rich Walking Tour Through Germantown” also held October 10th. We will begin at 5 p.m. at “The Nest” at Cliveden of the National Trust, then head to “The Hive” at the Johnson House Historic Site, and end at “Seeds & Bees” at the Wyck Historic House and Garden. We will share how these interactive, playful elements create place and enrich the programming of our community partners while encouraging a love of play and learning.
REGISTER BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2024
October 9, 2024 / 5 - 7PM
Live and Learn: Integrating Playful Learning into Affordable Housing Developments
KSS Architects, 1100 Ludlow, Suite 502, Philadelphia, PA, 19107
Click to Register
October 10, 2024 / 12 - 2PM
Live and Learn: A Graphic Novel Come to Life at a Philadelphia Affordable Housing Development
Susquehanna Village Community Room 1421 W. Susquehanna Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19121
Click to Register
October 10, 2024 / 4 - 5:30PM
Neighborhood as Story: A Literacy Rich Walking Tour Through Germantown
Cliveden of the National Trust, 6401 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Click to Register
