Connections thru Play
The Connections thru Play System
uses the universal language of play to create
opportunities for meaningful human connection.
We use play intentionally to create the conditions where people can:
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Connect
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Communicate
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All-Inclusive
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Create
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Move
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Discover
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Belong
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Thrive
This System brings together four connected Pathways, each designed for a different setting, purpose and group of people.
How It Works
Play is our vehicle for connection.
Every Connections thru Play experience combines intentional play, thoughtful facilitation and age and ability-appropriate PlayPaks to create opportunities for connection. The approach can be adapted to the audience, setting and purpose — because meaningful connection doesn't look the same everywhere.
Facilitation
We don't train facilitators to lead more activities. We train them to create the conditions where play and connection can happen.
Connections thru Play facilitation begins with an understanding of the science and value of play.
Facilitator Training
Facilitators have the opportunity to earn a Play Certificate through the National Institute for Play, building a foundation for understanding play and its role in human development, connection and well-being.
During training, Facilitators learn how to:
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Use play intentionally
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Create welcoming opportunities for connection
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Support choice and participation
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Adapt play to the people and setting
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Recognize when to step in — and when to step back
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Create conditions where people can connect naturally
The Four Pathways
Pathways have been intentionally designed to suit the needs of different settings, purposes, and groups of people.
Community Connections
Creating belonging and relationships within community spaces.
Who
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Boys & Girls Clubs
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Recreation Centres
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Older Adult Centres
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Camps
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Before & After School Programs
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Community Programs
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Intergenerational Programs
What
Opportunities for people to:
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Participate
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Connect
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Build relationships
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Discover shared interests
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Experience belonging
How
Trained facilitators use intentional play and tailored PlayPaks to create welcoming opportunities for connection — adapted to the age, abilities, setting and purpose of each group.
School Connections
Building connections across the school community — students, staff and families.
School is more than a place where students learn. It is a community of relationships.
Connections thru Play creates opportunities for:
Staff ↔ Student
Student ↔ Student
Staff ↔ Staff
School ↔ Family
Connection, like communication, is a two-way street.
Who
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Students
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Educators
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Educational support staff
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School leaders
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Families
What
Opportunities to strengthen relationships and create meaningful moments of connection across the school community.
How
Play creates the conditions for people to connect naturally. Trained school facilitators use intentional play and tailored PlayPaks for:
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Grade-specific programs
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Staff Connections
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Family Engagement
Caring Connections
Helping children experience connection, joy and childhood while illness or treatment is part of their lives.
Illness can change childhood. It can change routines, relationships, opportunities to play and the way families spend time together.
Connections thru Play creates opportunities for children and families to experience choice, joy, connection and moments of ordinary childhood — even when circumstances are anything but ordinary.
Who
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Children experiencing illness or treatment
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Families
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Siblings
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Friends
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Caregivers
What
Opportunities for:
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Play
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Connection
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Choice
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Joy
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Conversation
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Moments of ordinary childhood
How
Facilitators use flexible, age- and ability-appropriate PlayPaks and intentional play experiences while respecting each child's circumstances, energy, interests and needs.
Caring Connections may be put into play at these times:
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Oncology Support
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Childhood Illness
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Home Support
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Sibling Connections
Family & Friends Connections
Creating little opportunities for meaningful connection in everyday life.
Connection doesn't always require a big event or a lot of time.
Sometimes it happens:
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In the car
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At a restaurant
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On a plane
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During a road trip
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At home
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At the cottage
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While visiting grandparents
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When a friend comes over
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In the few minutes before bedtime
These are micro moments of connection — small opportunities that can become meaningful moments.
Who
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Families
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Parents
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Caregivers
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Grandparents
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Siblings
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Cousins
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Friends
What
Simple opportunities to:
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Talk
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Laugh
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Cooperate
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Create
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Move
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Discover
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Connect
How
PlayPaks make it easy to turn everyday moments into opportunities for connection — without adding another activity to the family schedule.
Family & Friends includes:
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Travel & Transportation
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Restaurants
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Grandparents - Grand PlayDays
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Micro Moments of Connection
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Babysitting Toolkit
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Friend Fun Night
No training required.
Just Play.
PlayPaks
PlayPaks
Play is our vehicle for connection.
Every Connections thru Play PlayPak uses play to create opportunities for people to connect, communicate, cooperate, create, move, discover and belong.
PlayPaks are thoughtfully tailored to:
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Age
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Abilities
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Setting
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Purpose
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Group needs
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Connection goals
Different Pathways have different themes, because the kind of connection we are creating matters.
PlayPaks aren't simply collections of games. They are tools designed to help create the conditions for meaningful connection through play.
Simply: Open – Select – Play
We have done the work, so you don’t have to.
Connections thru Play Systems
One System
Two PlayPak Levels
Three Facilitator Trainings
Four Pathways
Countless Opportunities to Connect.
Whether people are learning, growing, gathering, healing, travelling or simply spending time together, Connections thru Play brings play into the places where connection matters.
