To mark Children’s Mental Health Week, PlayBoard is highlighting the vital role of play in supporting children’s mental health, well-being, inclusion, and educational outcomes, alongside the significant impact of our work within schools across Northern Ireland.

PlayBoard is the lead organisation for the development and promotion of children and young people’s play. Through our schools’ programmes, we work directly with whole-school communities to embed high-quality, inclusive play into the school day – not as an optional “add-on”, but as a practical, evidence-informed approach that supports learning, social and emotional development, resilience and positive mental health.

Alan Herron, Chief Executive of PlayBoard NI, said:

“What we consistently see is that when children have access to rich, inclusive play opportunities, they engage more positively with learning, resulting in improved educational outcomes. Schools that prioritise play see benefits not only for pupils, but across the whole school community, resulting in real and measurable improvements to learning environments.

A key part of PlayBoard’s work is supporting teachers, school staff and parents to value and enable play by building confidence, understanding, and sustainable practice. This ensures play becomes embedded in the life and culture of a school, rather than being viewed as a short-term initiative.

At a time when schools are facing increasing pressures alongside growing concerns about children’s mental health, PlayBoard’s work demonstrates how play can be a powerful and cost-effective lever for educational improvement, inclusion and well-being, and why it must be taken seriously as an essential part of school life.”

Read more about PlayBoard’s school programmes.

Read our NEW publication – Why Play Matters in Primary Schools.

Read our NEW information sheet – Supporting belonging and mental well-being.

Additional resources for Children’s Mental Health Week