Playing Out, makers of the video above, are among more than 200 organisations in the UK that have come together to campaign for a Summer of Play to help children recover from a year when for long periods they were stuck indoors, unable to see their friends.
Playing Out say that the pandemic has come on top of a much longer term loss of freedom to play out. Recent research found that the average age children are allowed to play out unsupervised has risen from 9 to 11 in just one generation. (Thinking back to my childhood in the 1950s, I could play in the street unsupervised when I was 3 or 4 and walked to and from school by myself after the first week or so at school aged 5. There was no such thing as the school run then, primary kids made their own way to school and back home while parents got on with other things.)
On their website Playing Out have advice as to how any of us - not just parents - can help support the Play Streets movement.
Why play is important
Playing is essential for children’s mental health and wellbeing.
- Playing helps children cope with stress and anxiety and fosters resilience, enabling children to better deal with challenges.
- Playing gives children the opportunity to have fun, laugh, take time out, relax, and build friendships.
- Playing outside allows children to appreciate nature, the environment, and feel part of their community.
- Playing is fundamental to children’s happiness, and happy children lead to happier communities.
Source: www.playday.org.uk/
Links
After a year of sacrifice, let’s give children a summer to remember!
Join the #SummerOfPlay campaign
