Our idea of connection spaces are an activity, experience or physical thing - invented by children - that brings people together and creates a sense of belonging
It’s about giving children the power to turn their schools and communities into places where everyone wants to be
Our idea of connection spaces was inspired by Sally Kohn’s concept of using "connection-spaces" to foster empathy and reduce biases, through meaningful exposure to others, as described in The Opposite of Hate.
What do Connection Spaces look like?
The below images and video capture how children were supported to imagine and create connection spaces during U Shape Whitlam.
This was a collaboration with the Whitlam Mingle Program (Woden Community Services and the Suburban Land Agency)
This was a collaboration with the Whitlam Mingle Program (Woden Community Services and the Suburban Land Agency)
How you can easily enable connection spaces
It’s simple to be part of empowering children to imagine and create connection spaces.
Grandparents, parents, aunties, uncles, neighbours, people who work with children, and even kids and teens themselves have bought our game ($30 pph) and are actively using it to imagine and explore new connection ideas.
Connection spaces aren’t complicated or time-consuming. In U Shape Whitlam, the children's creations took less than 10 minutes to set up using simple resources we brought along and those available in their community room. You can easily use everyday items at home or your classroom to create connection spaces, whether they last for a moment or spark something bigger. Molly's story is a perfect example—her simple idea brought kids together. Read more here.
Share connection ideas with us
We invite you to share the connection ideas your child or community has imagined, and we’ll feature them on our website and social media. In the spirit of U Shape Us, we’ll review your idea, share what we love about it, offer a suggestion to make it even better, and brainstorm how you could bring it to life. Your idea could inspire others to start their own connection spaces, and as we grow, you’ll be part of building a creative movement from the ground up!
Grandparents, parents, aunties, uncles, neighbours, people who work with children, and even kids and teens themselves have bought our game ($30 pph) and are actively using it to imagine and explore new connection ideas.
Connection spaces aren’t complicated or time-consuming. In U Shape Whitlam, the children's creations took less than 10 minutes to set up using simple resources we brought along and those available in their community room. You can easily use everyday items at home or your classroom to create connection spaces, whether they last for a moment or spark something bigger. Molly's story is a perfect example—her simple idea brought kids together. Read more here.
Share connection ideas with us
We invite you to share the connection ideas your child or community has imagined, and we’ll feature them on our website and social media. In the spirit of U Shape Us, we’ll review your idea, share what we love about it, offer a suggestion to make it even better, and brainstorm how you could bring it to life. Your idea could inspire others to start their own connection spaces, and as we grow, you’ll be part of building a creative movement from the ground up!
Why should you share connection ideas?
When children see their ideas valued and shared, they realise the true power of their creativity. It builds their confidence and helps them feel a sense of ownership in shaping their world. By sharing your ideas, you’ll be sparking inspiration for others to create their own connection spaces, multiplying the positive impact across communities. Imagine your child’s idea inspiring new friendships, inclusivity, and tackling the issue of children feeling like they don’t belong.
We’ve witnessed children come up with incredible, unique ways to connect, and we know the excitement and pride they feel when their ideas are brought to life. These moments shape who they become and how they see themselves in the world.
Whether you’re a school, family, or community group, you can easily help kids imagine and create connection spaces. By supporting children’s creativity, you’re helping build stronger friendships and deeper connections. Explore our solutions page or contact us at fiona.ushape@gmail.com
When children see their ideas valued and shared, they realise the true power of their creativity. It builds their confidence and helps them feel a sense of ownership in shaping their world. By sharing your ideas, you’ll be sparking inspiration for others to create their own connection spaces, multiplying the positive impact across communities. Imagine your child’s idea inspiring new friendships, inclusivity, and tackling the issue of children feeling like they don’t belong.
We’ve witnessed children come up with incredible, unique ways to connect, and we know the excitement and pride they feel when their ideas are brought to life. These moments shape who they become and how they see themselves in the world.
Whether you’re a school, family, or community group, you can easily help kids imagine and create connection spaces. By supporting children’s creativity, you’re helping build stronger friendships and deeper connections. Explore our solutions page or contact us at fiona.ushape@gmail.com
Start with our game but don't stop there, because:
You Shape Us
You Shape Us
