The Healing Power of Play and Optimism

Optimism is powerful. When human beings strengthen their ability to see and focus on the goodness and value in themselves, others, and the world around them, their social, emotional and cognitive superpowers emerge. Optimism, however, is fragile. Chronic stress, fear and overwhelming adversity can weaken and destroy our capacity for optimism. This inspiring presentation by Steve Gross, helps Early Childhood Professionals discover the power of optimism to create safe, loving, joyful, and engaging environments where kids can heal, grow and thrive. Using research, humor and personal stories from 30+ years of work with kids and their caretakers Steve will share how practicing optimism can bring out the best in ourselves, our colleagues and our children.

 

​Meet Steve Gross

In the late 1980s, Steve Gross, MSW, began running playgroups for homeless children in Greater Boston. His only goal was to help our most vulnerable kids.

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His focus on play, joy, relationships, and environment caught the attention of trauma response experts. By the early 90s, Steve was called upon to lead widespread healing efforts for communities impacted by war, natural disaster, gun violence, poverty, addiction, and illness.

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Following his field experience, Steve and a trusted team of researchers and colleagues developed the Life is Good Playmaker Project - a series of transformative workshops, retreats, and tools that serve more than 16,000 Early Childhood professionals and help more than 1 million kids overcome trauma every year.

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Today, Steve inspires audiences with true stories of how optimism can be harnessed to overcome adversity, and how early childhood educators can cultivate a more optimistic disposition to insulate children against toxic stress and create life-changing relationships to help them heal, learn and grow.