Literature review: A world without play
Available now online, a comprehensive literature review on the possibility of "A world without play." Produced by Play England and the British Toy and Hobby Association, the review examines the importance of play opportunities to healthy child development and the modern barriers to these critical experiences. The evidence is mounting and the time to act is now - go PLAY!
US Play Coalition guest blogs for Playworks
We were honored to receive an invitation to write a guest blog on the Conference on the Value of Play for Playworks. And we will be even more excited to host them here at the Conference in FOUR days!
Inclusive playgrounds in Oneida City Park, TN
An inspiring short story about one mom's dream to garner support for a handicap accessible playground in her area. She was inspired by the joy she witnessed in a child who was swinging for the first time - the child was wheelchair bound and in a full-body support swing. Can you imagine your own childhood without the pleasure of reaching for the sky on your personal chariot?
In India, when exams keep students from playing
Despite a warning from doctors that too little physical activity and too little time spent de-stressing outdoors is detrimental to students' mental health, some parents are continuing to push their children to perform. This story is all too familiar.
Get out and PLAY
A great summary piece on the importance of play. Author Tim Hauserman reflects on his own childhood spent exploring the woods and imagining up stories and games before transitioning to an examination of how play has been pushed aside by organized sports and over-scheduling of activities. Hauserman quotes numerous sources to explain the detriments of this trend and the benefits of play. We particularly appreciate his quote, "And if we want to keep our brains developing throughout life, we can’t leave all the fun to the youngsters, adults should hit the woods and do a little playing themselves" - he, like the US Play Coalition, believes in play for all ages!
The healing power of sunshine
Play in the sunshine might be just what the doctor orders to reduce the risk of kids developing eczema and food allergies. These results are based on a study by the European Centre for Environment and Human Health on the rates of food allergies, eczema, and asthma in Australian children. Of course, like most things in life, there must be a balance between too little and too much.
Incase you missed it: Study finds kids books lack connection to nature
A recent study has found a decreasing trend in the depiction of natural environments in children's Caldecott Medal-winning books. Award winning books from 1938 to 2008 were examined for images of natural settings, human-made environments, or something in between. The study authors attribute this change to an increasing isolation of kids from the natural world, but Jenn Savedge, author of the article, suggests an alternative hypothesis: that nature books are not as fun because many have hidden eco-agendas.
No more fun in the surf and sand?
In Los Angeles County, how far is too far when it comes to regulation on the beach? Is too far restricting the right of individuals "to cast, toss, throw, kick, or roll" any object other than a volleyball or beach ball? Or is too far telling children they cannot dig a hole deeper than 18 inches? Long time beach-goers are displeased to phrase it kindly. When has elimination of risk (and fun!) gone too far?
"Play Unplugged" initiative kickoff in Largo Central Park - March 10 - "Play Unplugged" is designed to help parents, caregivers and local service providers address the barriers and fears impeding children's free play. The initiative kicks off with an event March 10 at Largo Central Park. With the help of Pop Up Adventure Play, a New York-based play advocacy organization, the park will be filled with hands-on-games, discovery stations and a plethora of recycled materials including old refrigerator boxes, pieces of old fabric and scraps of wood and paper. Organizations like the Boy Scouts of America, will be conducting tree climbing lessons. Along with the large event on March 10, the following Monday, McMahon will hold a "train the trainer'' day for caregivers from day care centers throughout Pinellas County. The program will provide more discussion on free play.
Certified Interpretive Trainers Course in Charlotte, NC - April 16 to April 20 - The National Association of Interpreters (NAI) is hosting a Certified Interpretive Trainers (CIT) course at the Reedy Creek Nature Center in Charlotte, NC. Completing this course will help interpreters demonstrate they have skills and knowledge to perform effectively. The course is open to any interested individuals, but is of particular interest to those working in nature centers, museums, zoos, living history sites, etc.
26th International Council for Children's Play (ICCP) World Play Conference - June 17 to June 20 - The 26th ICCP World Play Conference will be held in Tallinn, Estonia on the 18 and 19 June 2012, organised in co-operation with Tallinn University and the Estonian Union for Child Welfare. Children need time and space to play as part of their everyday lives. 'Play' is provided and organised in many different forms, from educational activities for pre-school children to childcare services for school-aged children; from playwork settings to youth services; from outdoor play to play in the virtual environment for children of all ages; from sports and leisure activities for young children and teenagers; and many, many more. This conference will explore what can be learnt from research about the provision of play by adults in the light of the widely-held view of children's need for undirected time and space in their lives from a practical, philosophical and historical perspective.