Nestled among industrial buildings and car repair shops in Park Slope, Brooklyn, stands PlayWell Brooklyn — an innovative indoor play space that's much more than just a place for kids to burn off energy. This thoughtfully designed center takes a progressive approach to child development, uniquely serving both neurotypical and neurodivergent children through the power of purposeful play.
Experiencing PlayWell: A Sensory Haven
This past November, I took the trip to Park Slope, Brooklyn to explore the PlayWell space and mission. Upon entering the space, I was greeted with soft floors, large windows letting in abundant sunlight, and a room filled with intriguing play structures. The lovely staff of Playwell greeted me, and after I took off my shoes, they welcomed me with open arms into the space. The staff explained that there are sensory and play opportunities everywhere within the Playwell space; apart from the structures that remind me of my childhood gymnastics class, there were rooms promising more forms of fun. One room was most focused on sensory experiences: there were several bins filled with different materials for Playwell's visitors to explore. The staff explained that these bins were constantly being changed to continuously offer new opportunities for exploratory experiences.
As I continued to walk through the space, it was clear to me that each and every aspect of the Playwell space was utilized and designed to serve play. From the welcoming colors throughout the space, to the soft lighting, to the abundance of structures to climb on, PlayWell intentionally makes it difficult to not want to play. I had myself a go through the space, swinging on some of the bars and hanging hoops attached to the ceiling, and hopping down onto the cushions below. Part of me felt silly to be playing as if I was in a jungle gym at my adult age, but a larger part of me enjoyed the act of being able to play again. The environment so deliberately encouraged physical exploration that watching from the sidelines felt more unnatural than participating.
The PlayWell Philosophy: Play with Purpose
What sets PlayWell Brooklyn apart is how deeply they understand play as a developmental tool. Play guides every aspect of the work they do and the services they offer. Their materials state:
"Born from a passion for inclusivity and wellness, we believe that play is an essential part of a child's development and has many benefits for both children and adults."
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Instead of seeing play as mere recreation, they view it as a fundamental developmental necessity. "A child's main job is to PLAY!" the PlayWell team insists. Through their structured and enjoyable play experiences, staff members help children develop skills for sensory processing and self-regulation, self-care, social interaction, and motor development.
The real magic happens through professional integration. Beyond enthusiastic play coaches, the facility employs a comprehensive team of specialists—occupational therapists, speech therapists, specialized play therapists, and psychologists—who work together to address each child's unique needs. Because of this cross-disciplinary approach, play transforms from simple entertainment into a vehicle for meaningful growth..webp)
The Science of Self-Regulation Through Play
Just as fidget jewelry provides sensory engagement for adults, PlayWell positions various play forms—imaginative, sensory, creative, and social—at the core of children's self-regulatory development. This approach acknowledges that learning to manage emotions and responses is a crucial skill that benefits from structured play opportunities.
The link between play and self-regulation runs deep and takes many forms. When playing, children naturally face situations requiring emotional, physical, and mental regulation: waiting for turns, handling disappointment, negotiating with peers, and adapting to sensory challenges. Each of these moments naturally builds regulatory skills in a low-pressure setting.
For neurodivergent children with different sensory processing experiences, PlayWell's specialized approach offers especially valuable benefits. Throughout the space, the variety of textures, movements, and visual inputs allows each child to discover sensory experiences that help them regulate. Having trained therapists on hand ensures these experiences are guided to maximize developmental benefits while keeping the focus on fun.
A Team Designed for Inclusive Support
Beyond the physical environment, PlayWell's specialized staff forms an equally important part of their thorough approach. Made up of professionals experienced in working with children across the neurological spectrum, the play coaches guide and encourage exploration while ensuring play remains both productive and developmentally supportive.
In addition to these coaches, the associated therapist team includes specialized play therapists, speech therapists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. This comprehensive staffing ensures children of all ages and abilities receive the specific support they need. By blending therapeutic approaches with play contexts, PlayWell encourages children of all ages to actively engage with their development and build upon their self-regulation skills..webp)
With their expertise, staff members can spot growth opportunities in seemingly casual play interactions. When a child digs into sensory materials or tackles a physical challenge, trained professionals identify moments to gently extend the experience in ways that build skills while preserving the child's enjoyment and control.
The Connection Between PlayWell and Stimm Jewelry
The philosophy behind PlayWell shares important common ground with the mission of Stimm Jewelry. Both recognize that sensory needs exist across ages and neurotypes, and both aim to normalize sensory tools for self-regulation.
After trying Stimm Jewelry's pieces firsthand, Rita Sverdlova, PlayWell's Founder and CEO, shared insights about this connection: "It's becoming a much more mainstream topic, and we're realizing that a lot of us were these kids that were walking around with unaddressed sensory needs because it just wasn't really a part of the conversation yet and although we've grown up, our sensory systems might still have those same needs. I think it's such a great product to help destigmatize sensory needs and it helps people feel more comfortable with using items to support their own sensory needs."
Sverdlova's observation highlights an important truth: sensory regulation needs don't disappear in adulthood. Many adults who struggled with unaddressed sensory needs as children still benefit from appropriate sensory supports. While PlayWell gives children various sensory experiences designed for regulation, Stimm Jewelry offers adults stylish, discreet options meeting similar needs.
The Broader Impact: Creating Inclusive Environments
With its approach to child development and sensory processing, PlayWell represents a significant shift in thinking. By creating spaces accommodating different sensory profiles instead of expecting children to adapt to potentially challenging environments, they exemplify truly inclusive design.
This model acknowledges that development follows many paths, not just one. Some children need more vestibular input to regulate. Others benefit from specific tactile experiences. While some thrive in active, dynamic environments, others occasionally need quieter spaces. Without segregating children based on their needs, PlayWell's design accommodates this diversity.
For parents, PlayWell offers both practical support and a framework for understanding their children's development. Many discover that what looks like behavioral problems may actually be sensory needs seeking expression. By watching how their children respond to different sensory experiences at PlayWell, parents gain insights they can apply at home.
This understanding extends across the lifespan through the connection with adult-focused sensory tools like Stimm Jewelry. A child who benefits from swinging or bouncing at PlayWell might grow into an adult who benefits from subtle sensory jewelry during stressful meetings or social gatherings. By normalizing sensory needs at all ages, both organizations contribute to a more inclusive understanding of human diversity.
Building a Foundation for Lifelong Regulation
Skills developed through play-based sensory experiences at PlayWell create a foundation benefiting children well beyond childhood. Self-regulation capabilities developed in early years strongly correlate with later academic success, social skills, and emotional wellbeing. By providing rich opportunities to develop these skills, PlayWell invests in children's long-term outcomes.
For neurodivergent children especially, having early access to appropriate sensory experiences can prevent the development of unhelpful coping mechanisms while building confidence in meeting their own needs. Rather than learning to mask their sensory differences, these children develop healthy self-regulation strategies that serve them throughout life.
The partnership between physical play spaces like PlayWell and sensory tools like Stimm Jewelry creates ongoing support for sensory regulation across the lifespan. Together, they help normalize conversations about sensory needs while providing effective, stigma-free tools to address them.
In a world increasingly focused on cognitive development and academic achievement, PlayWell Brooklyn reminds us that bodies and brains develop together. Through thoughtfully designed play experiences, children build not just physical skills but the foundational self-regulatory capabilities supporting all other learning. By honoring the essential role of sensory experiences in human development, PlayWell helps create a more inclusive, understanding, and regulated world—one playful interaction at a time.