Play
Children NEED play - according to the
American Academy of
Pediatrics, play is essential to development because it contributes to
the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and
youth. Physically active play can also help prevent a range of serious
illnesses. Unstructured play is one of the best ways for children to achieve
the World Health Organisation's recommended 60 minutes of physical activity
per day. Lack of play opportunities is
a huge issue across the whole of Ireland. Children themselves often
highlight play and recreation as being crucial issues for them.
Irish children have less opportunities
for unstructured play than previous generations.
Our children lead increasingly ordered and
prearranged lives - physical activity happens as part of formal training
sessions - dance, hurling, soccer, rugby "training" - rather than informal
kick-abouts, tree climbing, role playing and other child-led activities.
Schools & Play
School playgrounds are often just bare
patches of tarmac and grass. Forty percent of Irish National Schools operate
a "no-run" policy in the playground, and many schools are unaware of the
importance of play. Irish children get the least amount of breaktime in
Europe. Many Irish children have to choose between eating lunch or going out
to play because of restrictive school rules and short break times.
Schools receive little help regarding
play, even though for many children, school playtime is the only opportunity
they get for unstructured play. Any playground worth the name needs to be an
inspiring place...equipment like skipping ropes and balls may be needed, and
adults should model good play behaviour rather than just act as supervisors.
At home, parents are often "too busy" to play with their children. Parental
concern, while sometimes justified, may lead us to be over-protective.
Children need and want the freedom of
real play rather than virtual entertainment and passive TV time.
Over-structured activities should not be used to fill the vacuum when there
is no room for play in our childrens' lives.
All work and no play certainly makes for
a dull life. Children need real play,
and adults need to set the scene so that children can lead their own play
activities. If not, we are in danger of losing childhood altogether.
