Play Matters Project
‘Play Matters’ is a project funded by the Early Intervention Transformation Programme (EITP). It aims to ensure that policy makers, practitioners and parents understand that play is a vital part of childhood and is necessary for every child’s healthy development. It will also aim to support. promote, influence and facilitate play, providing sustainable and long lasting beliefs.
The Children & Young People’s Strategy Team in the Department of Education are leading the project which has three main elements:
Play Shaper
Play Shaper is a programme of professional play development, training and guidance offered to a range of stakeholders who directly or indirectly influence play (policy makers, district councils, government departments, service providers, planning officers, PSNI, community representatives, health and social care professionals etc.) and is aimed at helping them understand the importance of play and leisure and their role in creating child-friendly and/or play-friendly communities.
Play Shaper
Play Shaper is a programme of professional play development, training and guidance offered to a range of stakeholders who directly or indirectly influence play (policy makers, district councils, government departments, service providers, planning officers, PSNI, community representatives, health and social care professionals etc.) and is aimed at helping them understand the importance of play and leisure and their role in creating child-friendly and/or play-friendly communities.
Play For Parents Programme
The Play for Parents’ element of the programme aims to provide parents and the professionals who work with them the skills, knowledge and confidence to meaningfully play with their children and an understanding of the many benefits of play in relation to their child’s development. This will be delivered through play specific training for professionals who work directly with parents, play awareness programmes for parents and play modelling sessions for parents and children.
Play For Parents Programme
The Play for Parents’ element of the programme aims to provide parents professionals who work with them the skills, knowledge and confidence to meaningfully play with their children and an understanding of the many benefits of play in relation to their child’s development. This will be delivered through play specific training for professionals who work directly with parents, play awareness programmes for parents and play modelling sessions for parents and children.
Play Matters Resources
Alongside the two main elements above the project also plans to distill a number of key play messages targeted at parents and professionals alike via a messaging campaign. This is planned to run across 12 months in tandem with the promotion of play and leisure linked to the DE ‘Helping Hand’ campaign in partnership with Government Advertising Unit. Alongside this a ‘Play Messaging’ schedule has been produced to align with published national events and will be shared via social media platforms over the next year.
Play Matters Resources
Alongside the two main elements above the project also plans to distill a number of key play messages targeted at parents and professionals alike via a messaging campaign. This is planned to run across 12 months in tandem with the promotion of play and leisure linked to the DE ‘Helping Hand’ campaign in partnership with Government Advertising Unit. Alongside this a ‘Play Messaging’ schedule has been produced to align with published national events and will be shared via social media platforms over the next year.
Latest Play Matters News:
Play Matters – Playing With Stuff Around The Home
Play Children have an innate urge to play from birth right through to teenage years. Freely chosen play (play which is directed by children) is critically important for all children as part of their everyday lives and access [...]
Play Matters – Playing With Nature, Mud And Getting Dirty
"Playing With Nature, Mud & Getting Dirty" is the latest article from the Department of Education's Play Matters team. Packed full of ideas and tips for parents on playing outdoors, in mud and getting messy. Download the PDF version [...]
Play Matters – Hanging Out – Older Children At Play
In this months Play Matters newsletter we explore what play means to older children (pre-teen/teenagers) and highlights to parents that older children still need time and space to chill out, relax or ‘hang out with friends during their day. [...]
Play For Parents Programme Update
PlayBoard NI are delighted to be the lead delivery agent for the ‘Play Matters’ initiative in collaboration with the Department of Education’s Children and Young People’s Strategy Team. The programme is funded by the Early Intervention Transformation Programme (EITP). [...]
Play Awareness Sessions For Parents
Play Awareness sessions for parents, funded by the EITP Play Matters project is now open for expressions of interest. We are keen to target general parent groups and those 'harder to reach' parents such as parents identified as needing [...]