Dear Project Providers, PlayBoard is aware of the increasing levels of concern and distress within the Childcare/School Age Childcare Sector in regard to the Covid-19 Coronavirus situation. We've been monitoring updates from the relevant authorities, including UK Government, NI Executive and Public Health Agency (PHA), to help us respond [...]
The Public Health Agency is continuing working with partners across the UK including Public Health England, as well as the Department of Health and health trusts in Northern Ireland, and the health service in the Republic of Ireland, on the ongoing global novel coronavirus response. For further information visit the [...]
Children’s Mental Health Week takes place from 3 - 9 February, shining a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health, with the theme this year of Find your Brave. Bravery comes in all shapes and sizes and is different for everyone. Bravery can be about [...]
Monday 20 January is said to be the most depressing day of 2020. However we would like to help you change that and have compiled some fun play ideas to turn Blue Monday into Merry Monday! Play is a great stress reliever and can help children build strong minds [...]
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child which recognises the rights that all children have, including the right to play. Children have an innate urge to play from birth right through to the teenage years. Freely chosen play (play [...]
King’s Park Primary School in Newtownabbey has achieved a quality award that recognises their outstanding outdoor play offer. The prestigious TOPS (Taking Outdoor Play Seriously) award conferred by PlayBoard NI, the lead organisation for play in Northern Ireland, is in recognition of the school’s commitment to making their pupils’ [...]
To kick off summer we've compiled a list of activities for children and young people to try, whether the sun shines or not! Download Activities Sheet Play is the most natural way for children to learn, grow, develop and make sense of the world and their [...]
Recent research from safefood has discovered that junk food is now the second-most eaten food group by children in Northern Ireland, with almost a quarter of children’s daily diets consisting of ‘junk’ foods such as crisps, biscuits, cakes, sweets and chocolate. With the research also showing that the highest [...]
With mental health in focus recently following Mental Health Awareness Week the Play Matters project has produced a new information flyer looking at nurturing children’s mental health through play. Download Flyer Play is crucial to children’s healthy development and happiness and is vital for children’s mental [...]
The four UK Chief Medical Officers have published guidelines for physical activity for children and young people. Under 5s (not walking) Physical activity should be encouraged from birth, particularly through floor-based play and water-based activities in safe environments. All under 5s should minimise the [...]
