LIBRARY TO HOST FILM, PANEL DISCUSSION

The Tompkins County Public Library, Ithaca Children’s Garden and Cornell Plantations will host a special screening of the award-winning documentary “Where Do the Children Play?,” Wednesday, June 2 at 6:00 PM in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

“Where Do the Children Play?” examines an issue of growing concern among pediatricians, mental health experts, educators, and environmentalists-- more and more children are growing up with little or no opportunity for unstructured play, especially outdoors.

Film originator and Outreach Director Elizabeth Goodenough will also lead a distinguished panel featuring Harriet Becker and Monika Roth, co-founders of the Ithaca Children’s Garden, Nancy Wells, professor of design and environmental analysis at Cornell University, Sonja Skelly, education director for Cornell Plantations, and others in a candid discussion about the importance of spontaneous play.

”Children need free time every day to discover their own abilities, desires, and limitations,” said Goodenough, who also edited the film’s twin companion volumes, ”Where Do the Children Play? : A Study Guide to the Film” and “A Place for Play”. “Open-ended exploration and play in woods, fields, vacant lots, or other semi-wild spaces enhance curiosity and confidence throughout life.”

This screening is free and open to the public. Donations toward the future expansion of the Ithaca Children’s Garden will be accepted but are not required.

For more information about the Library program, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248 or cwheeler@tcpl.org.