The P.L.A.Y. Education Corporation (PLAY Education) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, that supports the creation/development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of whole-child programs and initiatives, through capacity building, sustainability planning and technical assistance, which creates diverse, equitable and inclusive environments, where children feel they belong, can shine and thrive just as they are.
By utilizing creativity, innovation and authenticity, PLAY Education, encourages small organizations, schools/districts/charters/BOCES, individuals and communities in Colorado and nationwide to create or modify, implement and assess, whole child initiatives, programs, practices and policies that focus on but are not limited to; healthy school environments, small group or individual interventions and adaptations to learning environments, so each student is given the necessary tools, resources, support and access to assist him/her/them with reaching his/her/their full potential.
In order to support holistic programming, PLAY Education utilizes the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model as an approach to guide initiatives that support children's cognitive, physical, social and emotional development in education and public health settings. Having student-centered, evidence-based school programs and out-of-time school programs, policies and practices ensure children are "safe, healthy, challenged, engaged and supported" (2022, Division of Population, Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion) within their schools and communities.
As the world continues to shift into a more culturally competent and inclusive space for children, strategies and resources that use a holistic approach to wellbeing (emotional, occupational, physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual) builds resilience (2020, National Wellness Institute) and enables children to feel confident and competent in taking on challenges and risks that promote him/her/them as successful contributing members of society.
Creating environments where children can learn, grown and thrive; just as they are.
The P.L.A.Y. Education Corporation (PLAY Education) was created by Shannon Milliken (she/her), a former physical education teacher and mom, who through her professional and personal journey, desperately wanted to be a catalyst for educational systems change. Her inspiration was her Asian-American daughter, who will grow up and identify as a woman of color. As any caretaker, wanting what is best for children, is the most important work that we as a society, could ever do and ever invest in.
Growing up as a transracial adoptee in middle class, suburbia Colorado, privilege was always at the forefront of opportunity and education for Shannon. Teaching in a variety of districts and schools and working at the Colorado Department of Education allowed her to observe and experience the inequities our educational system faces, to provide diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments for children, specifically in rural, low social-economic communities and historically marginalized and underrepresented populations.
It is Shannon's passion and enthusiasm for children, education and social justice to be the voice for the voiceless and be a driving force to support and implement innovative, creative and novel environments for students to thrive in. Shannon believes in the importance of each child needing to be seen and heard and given the same opportunities to learn, grow and excel, just as they are.
Organization name
The P.L.A.Y. Education Corporation
2022
Tax id (EIN)
92-1286707
Category
Education, Community Improvement & Capacity Building, Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, Youth Development, Recreation & Sports
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
14310 Grant StreetUS
CO, US
Denver, CO, US
Aurora, CO, US
Erie, CO, US