THE PLAYGROUNDgr

03/12/2026

Play Therapy™️ continues to be a research based model of therapy that supports healing of thousands of children a year. THE PLAYGROUNDgr is proud to bring Play Therapy™️ strategies and tools to programming in our community.

This week we explored monster masks with our friends at YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids , focusing on naming and normalizing feelings!

What monster would you be?

03/11/2026

Join us in wishing Cody Dean Timm, THE PLAYGROUNDgr Board President, a VERY HAPPY & SPECIAL BIRTHDAY!!!!

03/10/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Kim Childress, Former THE PLAYGROUNDgr Board Member and forever THE PLAYGROUNDgr family on her nomination for Tenacity at the 2026 Brilliance Awards!!!!!!!

👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

03/10/2026

Did you know that THE PLAYGROUNDgr provided 477 encounters to GRPS Scholars in 2025?

Learn more about us at theplaygroundgr.org

03/10/2026

💫 Partner Highlight 💫

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is proud to provide free Play Therapy Based programming to Dickinson Academy - GRPS, a neighborhood school within Grand Rapids Public Schools, through our Healing through Play ™️ 12 week cirriculum.

Featured Healing through Play ™️ Week 1, where we completed "Me."

🌟 Tools: Sticks, stones and leaves

03/10/2026

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is thrilled to share our new partnership and friendship with The Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan - be nice. We will be joing their team and our community on March 28 for a FREE FAMILY FRIENDLY opportunity to share TWO hands on play therapy workshops with children and families at 10:30am & 11:15am. Save the date, Share and SEE YOU THERE!!!!

Learn more: https://www.benice.org/familyfunfest

Until then, GO, Go, go & PLAY.....

03/09/2026

THE PLAYGROUNDgr follows the research to ensure Play Therapy ™️ gaps are filled and bridges are built. Research continues to share a sharp decline in use of nature tools as play tools for children in our community.

We are proud to bring nature tools into our Play Therapy based programming, Healing Through Play ™️.

Last week in GRPS School Programming scholars made their family using rocks, wood and paint. They were invited to create a space they'd played together before that cultivated the feeling of LOVE.

03/07/2026

Did you know that countries around the world have begun shifting culture to extinguish cry it out parenting philosophies? The research is clear, crying is an essential form of expression and opportunities for growth in attachment.

But what can we do instead ? ⏬️

03/07/2026

This is community! Thank you to the MANY community partners who came to together to help us build emotional health packs for neighbors on a recent trauma and crisis journey.

03/07/2026

Wow! We are nearing capacity!!!!! 10 SPOTS left!

Are you a family touched by foster care? THE PLAYGROUNDgr would love to play alongside you on May 2 for a full day FREE Play Therapy™️ based experience!!!

Join us for Play Therapy ™️ strategies, Theraplay Strategies, drumming, attachment based yoga and break dancing.

Learn more: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/healing-trauming-through-play-tickets-1980588760298?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thank you for our sponsors: Mayflower Congregational Church , FOOD HUGS , Wedgwood Christian Services . We couldn't do this work without you.

03/06/2026

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is proud of Executive Director and Founder of THE PLAYGROUNDgr, Jacqueline Scherer. Her commitment to the Play Therapy ™️ community and accessibility for all shines all of the way into state and national advocacy and change!

Congratulations on your 2nd appointment as President of the Michigan Association for Play Therapy.

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Join us in welcoming our 2026/2027 MIAPT Board of Directors

Welcome Jacqueline, MIAPT President
Jacqueline is Executive Director and Founder of , and is both a LMSW and RPT™.

When asked why she believes in play therapy she shared, "I believe in Play Therapy because the research is clear, play heals!" -Jacqueline

03/06/2026

Happy Birthday to amazing world changer and THE PLAYGROUNDgr Board Member Regina Dix!

Regina continues to commit her career to policy and practices that ensure a better life and future for youth and young adults at risk of housing insecurity. Her heart pours into her work and their lives, ensuring everyone is happier and healthier, simply, because she was a part of the journey.

Happy Birthday Regina! 🥳