PlayBoard calls for focused action for play as Playday celebrated across Northern Ireland.
With recent research carried out by PlayBoard showing one in three children have few places to play, the national day for play is a timely opportunity to highlight the need for a renewed commitment to play at all levels across society.
This year’s Playday theme focuses on play as the culture of childhood. Play is at the core of children’s lives and is vital for health, happiness, and creativity. Through play:
- children develop a sense of, and value for culture
- cultural exploration is encouraged, fostering an appreciation for diversity
- children work together, negotiate, and build relationships
- children feel connected to each other and their neighbourhoods
- children create and pass on games, songs and stories.
Highlighting the need for urgent action to support the right to play, Katherine Lindsay-Dunlop, Regional Childcare Coordinator at PlayBoard said:
“On Playday we join with the rest of the UK in celebrating the importance of play in children and young people’s lives. As the lead organisation for the development of play in Northern Ireland, PlayBoard is advocating for the development of a resourced play strategy alongside targeted action to enhance play across our communities to improve play opportunities for all.
As work continues on a childcare strategy for Northern Ireland, we also take the opportunity to recognise the immense contribution of play-based school-age childcare providers, delivering quality childcare support for parents whilst delivering valuable play opportunities for school-aged children. School-age childcare providers are at the core of many children’s lives, ensuring every day is a play day. It is critical that parents and providers who deliver out of school childcare are supported at this challenging time.”
Jess Eadie, Early Years & Playwork Manager at YMCA After School Club added:
“Play experiences are extremely important for children of all ages, providing opportunities to promote positive mental health, holistic well-being, social development and building self-esteem. At YMCA North Down, we believe that play experiences for school-aged children are as important as the early years, and want to ensure that children’s right to play is protected in the modern world.
YMCA After School Club promotes a playwork ethos throughout our setting, and we encourage parents and children to be involved in their play experience. A rich play environment is provided to ensure that children’s experiences are broad, balanced and enjoyable. The children have opportunities to build on their natural curiosity and imagination, and develop their language and social skills. Children are encouraged to try new experiences, take measured risks in a playful way, express themselves appropriately and are supported by a team of skilled playworkers.”
This Playday, we invite families, playworkers, decision makers, and all those who work with children across Northern Ireland, to join together to foster a culture of play. Play is every child’s right. Let’s unite to create a more playful future for our children and young people.
Find out about getting involved in Playday.
View our ideas for playful Playday adventures.
Playday is coordinated by PlayBoard NI, Play England, Play Wales, and Play Scotland. For more on the campaign go to www.playday.org.uk
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