ABOUT

Our Mission

More to Play envisions a world in which society draws on science and evidence to support the health and wellbeing of children, youth and families. That’s why we translate scientific insights about child, youth and family wellbeing into games and interactive experiences that build public understanding.
University of North Dakota Department of Occupational Therapy

Letter From Our President

I’m grateful to the many scientists, communicators, educators, and partners who, over more than two decades, have helped translate the science of child development into tools people can actually use.

Together, we’ve shown that when people truly understand how development happens, they make better decisions that benefit children and families.

The second edition of the Brain Architecture Game reflects lessons from thousands of players and incorporates refined gameplay alongside the latest science. Our goal remains the same: to make complex science accessible, memorable, and actionable so more people can turn knowledge into better outcomes for children and families.
Judy Cameron, PhD

WHO WE ARE

As a new, independent organization, More to Play is a 501(c)(3) US-based educational nonprofit organization currently powered by a volunteer board of directors appointed by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University; FrameWorks Institute; Working for Kids Building Skills; and the Creative Media & Behavioral Health Center at the University of Southern California.

Judy Cameron, PhD

Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburg

Judy Cameron, PhD is a developmental neuroscientist and a leading expert on how early life stress and experiences shape long-term brain development and health. As a key member of the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, she translates this complex science into accessible community programs like Working for Kids: Building SkillsTM to improve child health outcomes. Dr. Cameron serves as the President of More to Play’s Board of Directors.

Marientina Gotsis, MFA

Professor of Cinematic Practice, University of Southern California

Marientina Gotsis, M.F.A. is a design researcher and Professor of Practice at the Interactive Media & Games Division of the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California and director of the Creative Media & Behavioral Health Center. She serves on More to Play's Board of Directors and is the lead inventor and Executive Producer of The Brain Architecture Game.

Julie Sweetland, PhD

Sociolinguist & Senior Advisor, FrameWorks Institute

Julie Sweetland, PhD is a sociolinguist and senior advisor at FrameWorks Institute, where she leads science communication and reframing initiatives that shift mindsets on social justice issues. Dr. Sweetland serves as Treasurer of More to Play’s Board of Directors.

James Cairns, MA

Senior Director, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

James Cairns is a Senior Fellow at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, which is a global leader in translating and communicating the science of child development to drive better outcomes for children. James serves as Secretary of More to Play’s Board of Directors.

Our History

More To Play, founded in 2026, is built on long-standing science, partnerships, and successes.
1999
The National Research Council publishes From Neurons to Neighborhoods, synthesizing foundational research on early brain development.
1999
FrameWorks Institute was founded, pioneering an empirical approach to reframing social and scientific issues for the public.
2003
The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child was formed by multidisciplinary experts.
2004
Using FrameWorks’ approach to science communication, the Council launched efforts to inform policymakers about early brain development.
2006
Dr. Jack Shonkoff established the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, which subsequently hosted the Council.
2008
The Council made it a priority to develop hands-on learning tools to improve retention of scientific information.
2009
The Council partnered with University of Southern California’s Interactive Media & Games Division to develop a game that translated insights from the Working Papers.
Brain Architecture Game
brickhousearc (Instagram)
2009
Professor Marientina Gotsis’ research team (USC) conceived of using pipe cleaners and straws to represent brain building and support.
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Institute for Child & Family Well-Being
2009
FrameWorks ensured that tested metaphors like "toxic stress" and "serve and return" were integrated faithfully into The Brain Architecture Game.
2009
Dr. Judy Cameron (University of Pittsburgh) oversaw the game's scientific accuracy and began a multi-year period of playtesting, getting feedback from thousands of players.
the_senco_squares (Instagram)
2015
Thanks to a grant from the Palix Foundation, USC, Harvard, Pitt, and FrameWorks launched a five-year initiative to produce and distribute The Brain Architecture Game.
USC Creative Media & Behavioral Health Center.
2016
The Brain Architecture Game officially entered mass production and began being sold to the public.
2016
The Center for the Developing Adolescent was created to advance the understanding of the adolescent years as a period of opportunity and discovery.
the mytgnola (Instagram)
2019
The Center for the Developing Adolescent partnered with FrameWorks to develop ways to translate the science of adolescent development.
2020
Inspired by The Brain Architecture Game’s success, FrameWorks and the Center for the Developing Adolescent recruited Root + All to make a game about adolescence.
2021
From 10 to 25, a storytelling game about adolescence, was made available to thousands of individuals and organizations working with adolescents.
2023
The partners who created The Brain Architecture Game founded More to Play, a new nonprofit focused on translating the science of child and family wellbeing through games.
@HHHScte (X)
2026
More to Play debuted Brain Architecture Game: Second Edition, featuring refined game play and updated science.
We translate scientific insights and child, youth, and family wellbeing into games and interactive experiences that build public understanding.