Play Dynamics: The State of Play in the 21st Century, with Andres Ruiz, LMFT

Play Dynamics: The State of Play in the 21st Century

With Andres Ruiz, LMFT

This presentation seeks to explore the dynamics of play in the 21st century and how various factors have influenced it’s decline. Factors such as technological advancements, changes in societal norms, and the evolving ways people engage with leisure activities. This presentation will highlight the benefits of play, its psycho-social-emotional functioning in the development of children’s well-being. In addition, we will explore the history of play and it’s decline and how educators and mental health clinicians can advocate for play as a fundamental right and necessity for children’s psycho-social emotional well-being.

Join me as we advocate for play as more than just a pastime, but as a fundamental right and a necessity for the psycho-social-emotional well-being of children. Discover how educators and mental health clinicians can champion this cause, fostering an environment where play is recognized and prioritized for its indispensable role in nurturing the next generation.

Educational Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to identify 2 factors contributing to play’s decline in the contemporary era (technology and environment).

2. Participants will be able to explain how play influences psycho-social-emotional development. 

3. Participants will be able to explain International Play Rights.

BIO:

Andres J. Ruiz, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. His expertise includes providing psychoeducation, social services, and direct mental health therapy.  He has successfully assisted clients from diverse ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic backgrounds.  Andres also has specialized experience involving addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, attachment, PTSD, impulse control, and conduct disorders. Additionally, he has worked with clients facing interpersonal violence and marital challenges. His professional background includes roles in community-based mental health agencies, where he has managed child protective services and probation cases. Andres has also imparted social and emotional intelligence to youth in juvenile hall, teaching court-mandated parenting, anger management, and domestic violence classes. Andres has shared his knowledge through lectures on various mental health and education topics at esteemed universities such as UCLA, LMU, Antioch University Los Angeles City, and Los Angeles Southwest College. Andres’ academic qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Community Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. Andres is fluent in both English and Spanish, offering therapeutic services in both languages. Lastly, Andres is a husband and proud father who resides in the city of Los Angeles.