The Battlefords Children鈥檚 Charter (2013) sets out a vision for children 鈥揺veryone under the age of 18 years old 鈥� to have the freedom to grow as individuals. It is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states, "rights are things that every child should have or be able to do."
One of the eight rights is the right to play. The right to play includes:
鈥淭o have access and opportunities to participate in recreation and leisure activities.鈥�
And, in the words of local children, 鈥渢o be in the sand with tools and a bucket鈥澛� or 鈥渢o hang out with friends, drive around, watch movies and laugh.鈥�
Did you know play is good for our brains, teaches us to use our imaginations, helps us learn to be friends and connect with others, can help solve big problems and relieves stress, yet unstructured, spontaneous, self-initiated, joyful play is disappearing from the lives of children.
According to David Elkind, author of The Hurried Child, Miseducation and The Power of Play, play is essential for children鈥檚 learning and development. Through play children develop social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills.聽
鈥淚n fact, far from being a waste of time or just a fun distraction, play is a time when your child is often learning the most,鈥� according to the Child Development Institute.
Whether you鈥檙e a parent, grandparent, teacher or neighbour, children need supportive adults like you to respond to their ideas and interests and play with them. According to the Child Development Institute, families who play together are more co-operative and supportive. Playful family activities help kids and teens increase their self-esteem, social skills and sense of connectedness, leading to better use of their good judgment when confronted with difficulties and temptations.
Take the advice of the Alliance for Childhood and become an advocate for play. Lobby for safe, well-maintained parks and play areas in your community, share the importance of play with others, and find time to create opportunities to play with a child.
What you can do to help your child play:
鈥� Stop 鈥渃ouch potato鈥� syndrome 鈥� take a walk around your neighbourhood, notice the birds and changes happening in spring, jump in a puddle or find a tree starting to bud.
鈥� Play games 鈥� card games, board games, silly or wacky kid games.
鈥� Listen to music together and sing along.
鈥� Let your child take the lead, becoming a part of their play rather than trying to dictate their play.
鈥� Provide them with time, opportunity and simple resources for play.聽 鈥淎 good toy is 10 per cent toy and 90 per cent child,鈥� says Alliance for Childhood.
鈥� Listen and talk to them.
鈥� Play with them.
Playing with kids builds a bond that will last forever.
It鈥檚 a great stress reliever for adults too.
This submission is the fourth in a series prompted by Battlefords Early Childhood Community Planning Network.
