Once a month, I invite community members to share their community or business \(if not on Skool\). We'd love to know more about the amazing communities you're building and leading here with us. I typically due this on the first Saturday of each month but with the holiday weekend in the US last week, here we go. Take a moment and share, in the comments: 1. Who you are and who you serve. 2. A quick snapshot of just 1 or 2 sentences about what your community or business is all about. 3. Your about page link or website, so folks can connect with you if they are interested. And while you're at it, why not check out 1 or 2 other communities in the thread that catch your eye. Let's celebrate each other.

We're thrilled to welcome some wonderful new faces to Connected Through Play this week! Let's extend a warm welcome to the new members @Jenny Akinosho, @Joanne Langston, @Silvia Molinaro, @Kiara Passante, @Larissa Florido, @Aida Brčaninović, @Gwen Roach, @Hanus Noémi, @Jessica Machado, @Alix Broadhead, @Jessica Senhorinha, @Michele Selvey, @Nici norris norris Norris norris, @Shaye Williams. As you get to know the community, here are some quick tips to get you started: 1. Visit the Start Here Classroom, this provides a roadmap for navigating the community and then, go ahead and #Try This Today - one simple play idea and come back to share. 2. Visit the labs, I'd start with #Day 1: Sink, Float, Predict in The Curious Kitchen or #Day 1: The Observation Mission in the Play Lab. You'll also find broad play ideas by age band in the Play Lab. Try one of these missions and share how they worked for you. 3. Introduce yourself. 3 simple questions: a) Who are you? b) How do you like to play and c) a fun fact about yourself or your family. A quick note, you'll find lots of play prompts and ideas in the Play Ideas & Prompts category, my assistant @Charlotte Bick and I are working on moving all of these to classrooms for you. If you are looking for Games, check out the Games! Games! Games! category and for those of you dealing with the heatwave, I've posted some simple indoor activities this week.

Borrowing this from my friend Tosca with a twist. Canada Day was Wednesday. It’s Independence Day Weekend here in the states. It’s Wimbledon time in the UK and winter down under. So in the spirit of grilling, chilling, and maybe something thrilling, what does your perfect long weekend look like? Cooking out with friends and fam? Playing games with the kids? Going on an adventure? Drop it below but do it in gifs. Let’s see how many we can guess.

Usually it’s time to bake but this Saturday, we’re in Chattanooga, TN at a homeschool expo talking to families and sharing Discovery Toys. What are you doing this weekend?

Let’s extend a warm welcome to our two newest members @Riddhima Goel and @Jenny Akinosho Pull up a chair and explore. You’ll find lots of ideas in the Play Prompts category and our 3 new labs are also open. Start exploring #Welcome to Connected Through Play and them pop over to #Try This Today and share your first mini activity. We’d love to get to know you so don’t be shy. Please say hi.