NMC Launches Global Science of Play Institute

Demonstration Projects Underway; Experts Deliver UNLV Scholars Lecture; National Experts Address UNLV and City of Las Vegas

A new “science of play” has emerged from the explosion of information in the social, psychological, behavioral, and biological sciences. This approach allows health and education professionals to appreciate play as a force that strengthens the mind and the body as it straightens the path toward social competency, emotional stability, physical capability, and success.

NMC brought significant resources to Southern Nevada to demonstrate the importance of purposeful play to personal health and wellbeing. Under the leadership of NMC Board Chairman John F. O’Reilly, the Nevada Medical Center’s Global Science of Play Institute, has provided demonstrations of the importance of play. In collaboration with the Clark County Library District and the nationally recognized Playworks group, young children and their parents were provided with organized play activities in playcamps held at 2 community libraries. Demonstration projects with the Clark County School District and Playworks are underway at Holligsworth, Long, and Bracken Elementary Schools to reboot recess. Another project is being developed with the UNLV College of Education and staff at the UNLV Bennett Pre-School. Additionally, NMC brought national experts to provide a community lecture entitled: “Play as a Public Health Necessity” in collaboration with the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. In December, NMC key strategists Dr. Stuart Brown and Dr. Scott Eberle delivered the keynote address which focused on play to over 400 City of Las Vegas Youth Development and Social Innovation Department’s Safekey employees (https://nvmedicalcenter.org/news/gspi-keynote-address-city-las-vegas-employees/)

The Global Science of Play Institute (GSPI), is an initiative of the Nevada Medical Center. It studies play to identify ways to make our state, our region, our nation, and our world fitter, happier, healthier, and more understanding. The GSPI website was launched earlier in 2018.