#DATC2024 second breakout session on creating inclusive spaces for play with Donna McCrary and Beth Jones. The session opens noting that stories are what make up a child’s life. Their unique story begins with the story of their birth. Eventually, parents share stories with them and with time they create their own life story. So how do we move to include the stories of children with disabilities through play?

McCrary and Jones note the importance of play. Play is an activity chosen by a child and directed by the child. So play remains child directed, imaginative, and emotional. However, play is also cognitive in both generating and pruning synapses, as well as leading also to building communication skills.

So, Why Should Churches Change the Story via Play? • Play Spaces provide the optimum place for play to occur at church. • Play Spaces can be outreach opportunities for the community. • Play Spaces encourages physical, sociaLemotional and cognitive growth • Play Spaces enhance engagement of church members creating volunteering opportunities • Play Spaces at church offer a safe environment that can be reassuring for parents