Did you come to our playday event last Saturday? We had a great time and raised almost £200 in refreshment sales and donations. Here are a few pictures taken on the day – there are more on our Facebook page – as well as some information on why play is so important.
“Freely-chosen play is an essential part of every child’s life and is vital to emotional and physical development. Children need a place where they can explore risk and adventure and where no-one expects a piece of work to be produced at the end of an activity.”
Nikki Anderson, New Ark playworker
Playday is the UK’s national day for play, traditionally held on the first Wednesday in August. It is a celebration of children’s right to play, and a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives.
What is play?
Play is a wide range of activities and behaviours that a child freely chooses to take part in. Play may or may not involve equipment. Children may play alone or with others. Play may or may not have an end product. It may be boisterous and energetic or quiet and completive; light-hearted or very serious.
Why is play important?
- Playing is fun: it is how children enjoy themselves, each other and families.
- Play can promote development, learning, imagination, creativity and independence.
- Play can help to keep children healthy and active.
- Play allows children to experience and encounter boundaries, learning to assess and manage risk in their lives; both physical and social.
- Play helps children to understand the people and places in their lives, learn about their environment and develop a sense of community.
- Play allows children to find out about themselves, their abilities, their interests and the contribution they can make.
- Play can be therapeutic. It helps children to deal with difficult or painful circumstances such as emotional stress or medical treatment.
- Play can be a way of building and maintaining important relationships with friends, carers and family members.Source: Charter for Children’s Play, Play England, 2007
The UK government is signed up to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that all children and young people have the right to relax and play, and join in a wide range of activities.
Finally, you may also be interested in this BBC news item about a newly published report, which reviews a wide range of research into the importance of play in supporting children develop essential skills and knowledge as they grow up.