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Date: Mar 08, 2010

Community Workshops and Family Activities Highlight Hofstra Symposium "Child's Play, Children's Pleasures: Interdisciplinary Explorations"

Locations Across Hofstra Campus; March 20 & 21, 2010; Featuring the National Circus Project, March 21

**ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL ACTIVITIES LISTED BELOW**

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Hofstra’s international symposium Child’s Play, Children’s Pleasures: Interdisciplinary Explorations on March 19 and 20 will explore how different forms of children’s toys and play provide important opportunities for learning. The symposium, which will feature the participation of scholars from all over the world, will also coincide with a series of community workshops and activities on March 20 and 21, suitable for the entire family.

Workshops themes include “Developmentally Appropriate Toys,” “Reader’s Theater: Playing with Stories,” and “Active Play: Manipulating Play for Skill Development.” On Sunday, March 21, the National Circus Project will move into Hofstra’s Monroe Lecture Center Theater where real circus performers will perform and conduct interactive workshops that introduce children to performance and acrobatic skills.

Schedule of Community Workshops and Events

Saturday, March 20

Faculty from Hofstra’s School of Education, Health and Human Services will conduct the following activities. The fee for participating in these Saturday programs is $5 per adult (2 children limit free per adult). To register in advance for these sessions call (516) 463-5750 or visit http://hofstra.edu/edworkshopreg. To register for “The Great Caper: A Visual Scavenger Hunt and Story,” presented by the Hofstra University Museum, call (516) 463-5672.

•    9 to 9:55 a.m. and 10 to 10:55 a.m..: “Developmentally Appropriate Toys” is a workshop for parents and children (ages 3 to 6) focused on how to choose and use developmentally appropriate toys for play and learning. Location is the Diane Lindner-Goldberg Child Care Institute, Saltzman Community Services Center, South Campus.

•    9 to 9:55 a.m. and 10 to 10:55 a.m..: “Reader’s Theater: Playing with Stories” introduces parents and children (ages 5 to 10) to books that encourage play and playful responses between parent and child. Location is the Diane Lindner-Goldberg Child Care Institute, Saltzman Community Services Center, South Campus.

•    11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: “Active Play: Manipulating Play for Skill Development” at the Physical Fitness Center, North Campus, introduces families to ways to manipulate children’s physical play to develop skills. This workshop is for parents and children (ages 4-10).

•    12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: “The Great Caper: A Visual Scavenger Hunt and Story” at the Emily Lowe Gallery, Behind Emily Lowe Hall, South Campus is for parents or grandparents and children (ages 6-12). Join the Hofstra University Museum education staff as it uncovers details in the works in the exhibit Children’s Pleasures: American Celebrations of Childhood and uses the discoveries to create a story. To register call the Hofstra University Museum at (516) 463-5672.

•    2 to 3 p.m.: “Kids on the Block,” at the Multipurpose Room, Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus, is for families with children of all ages. This program features an interactive puppet show that vividly and effectively models relationships between people, both with and without disabilities, by using frank and often humorous communication of facts and feelings between the puppet characters and the audience.

•    3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: “Active Play: Street Games” is for parents and children (ages 10 and older). This session introduces children and families to games that have been part of playing in New York City for years. Location is the Physical Fitness Center, North Campus.

Sunday, March 21
The National Circus Project, sponsored by Hofstra Entertainment

The National Circus Project’s performances and programs provide an opportunity for everyone to experience the unique cultural traditions and the incredible fun of the circus! This five-artist extravaganza showcases a variety of skills, comedy, and plenty of audience interaction. These world-class artists bring a cultural dimension to the arts experience and have often included performers from England, Japan, Puerto Rico, Russia, Latvia and China. The interactive workshops are a hands-on experience with traditional circus skills, including juggling, plate spinning, devil sticks, and balancing. This is a fun and exciting way to be coached directly by world-class circus professionals and have a positive learning experience.

Admission is $15 adults, $10 senior citizens (over 65) and $10 children 18 and younger. Children under 3 are admitted free. There are two showtimes: 11 a.m. to noon and 2 to 3 p.m. Each performance is followed by a 45 minute workshop under the little top tent.

Location is Monroe Lecture Center Theater, California Avenue, South Campus. For tickets and more information call the Hofstra Box Office at (516) 463-6644 or visit www.hofstra.edu/HofstraEntertainment.

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The symposium, Child’s Play, Children’s Pleasures: Interdisciplinary Explorations, directed by Hofstra Professor of Education Donna R. Barnes, is a forum for stimulating and disseminating research on the historical, sociological, psychological and educational study of children’s development from infancy to age 12 through play activities, dolls, toys, and games. Additionally, the symposium focuses attention on artistic and literary depictions of children at play.

Related Link: "Child's Play, Children's Pleasures: Interdisciplinary Explorations"