Why is Play Important
Content
Why is Play important?
“The right to play is a child’s first claim on the community. Play is nature’s training for life. No community can infringe that right without doing deep and enduring harm to the minds and bodies of it’s citizens” (David Lloyd George) “By playing, children learn and develop as individuals, and as members of the community” (Best Play, NPFA 2002) “Letting children go out and play is one of the best things that parents can do for their children’s health” (Mackett 2004) A mix of active, imaginative and creative play makes for a brilliantly balanced diet of play. Some children prefer to spend most of their time with creative play, some with imaginative play and others with active play. There is nothing wrong in liking one toy or game in particular, but a balanced diet of play is best for development. In other words, it's good for your child to play in lots of different ways. Each type of play contributes in its own way to all-round psychological progress. Your child gets something different out of playing with different toys. Encourage your child to achieve a balanced diet of play by offering a regular change of play activities. You can suggest new types of games and new toys. A balanced diet of play is as important as good food or love. According to Dr Richard Woolfson (an educational psychologist with 30 years' experience and a qualified nursery and primary school teacher), a portion each of three types of play each day helps with every child's healthy development:
•
Creative play is about drawing, painting, playing music, cooking, or making something (anything!). It doesn't matter what your child makes, or whether there's a perfect result. Through creative play, your child expresses his- or herself, learns about process, discovers cause and effect and gains pride in their achievements. Imaginative play starts in your child's head. It can be roleplaying, creating a new game, giving toys a voice, inventing adventures or playing a word game. Through imaginative play your child begins to understand the world, investigates fact and fiction, and develops positive relationships with
•
themselves and other people.
•
Active play is how your child moves in the world. It is running, jumping, catching and dancing - all of which build strength and boost coordination. Active play is also a great way to learn about teamwork, release tension and feel truly free.
Play is a serious business, as far as children are concerned. Play makes an immense contribution to your child's development in lots of important ways. As a child plays, they learn all about themselves and what they can do. Play helps them make friends, enjoy company and discover the world around them. Your child has fun while playing and at the same time is exercising, discovering and developing both emotionally and physically. That's what makes play so wonderful!
Improving Confidence Through Play
Play boosts your child's self-confidence in many ways:
•
Exploration. By learning through discovery, your child develops belief in their skills and abilities. Movement. As soon as your child can move, they want to play. The "I got there by myself" expression shows your child's growing confidence. Playing is also a fantastic form of exercise and as the facts show us, children need regular exercise.
•
Facts:
o o
o o
Welsh children are the second most overweight in Europe According to recent research by the World Health Organisation – in Wales, 23% of boys and 17% of girls are obese. 60% of children spend up to 4 hours a day watching TV. Only 60% of children have regular opportunities to play outside.
•
Imagination. Children use their imagination in pretend-play. This is a new and exciting experience for children, and they
love it.
•
Creativity. Every child can be creative in play. Your child will be delighted when you smile at their drawings and paintings. Socialising. Playing with friends is a great way for your child to learn important social skills like sharing and taking turns. Problem-solving. Your child's confidence is boosted by solving a puzzle - they would rather do it without too much help. Language. Playing with others builds up your child's vocabulary, speech and communication skills.
•
•
•
Individual Play Patterns
The way your child plays depends on many different factors. First there's their age and stage of development - play becomes more complicated as your child grows older. Personality matters too - an enthusiastic child will get stuck in to toys immediately while a passive child may hold back. The range of toys and games available affects play - a child who hasn't got a pedal toy, for example, won't learn how to make it move by pushing the pedals. Every child instinctively needs to play. But there are many distractions that can grab young interest. For example, a television programme or a computer game may attract your child's attention away from toys and games.
A Balanced Diet of Play
Some children prefer to spend most of their time with creative play, some with imaginative play and others with active play. There is nothing wrong in liking one toy or game in particular, but a balanced diet of play is best for development. In other words, it's good for your child to play in lots of different ways. Each type of play contributes in its own way to all-round psychological progress. Your child gets something different out of playing with different toys. Encourage your child to achieve a balanced diet of play by offering a regular change of play activities.
Top Tips To Boost Your Child's Confidence Through Play
•
Give lots of praise when your child plays well.
•
Use age-appropriate toys that challenge your child's understanding. Gently encourage your child to play with puzzle toys. Aim for your child to increase learning in small stages. Let your child choose what toys to play with, most of the time. Prove that you are interested by watching your child at play. Be sympathetic when your child becomes frustrated in play. Avoid comparing the way your child plays with the way another child plays. Brag to your friends and relatives about your child's play achievements in front of them. Give your child a cuddle sometimes during play.
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• • •
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•
Indoor play
Playing in doors doesn’t have to mean computers!
Running out of ideas to keep your kids happy and occupied at weekends or during the school holidays? Fed up of them being bored on a rainy day? If the answer to any of these questions is yes… then we’ve got some ideas and suggestions for you to get your children’s imaginations going, and…ore importantly…stop them from being bored! There’s lots of ways to play indoors, and children are the experts on how they like to play best. The old favourite that a cardboard box is more fun than any toy is so true, try it! If they really need some ideas, think simple, think about what you used to do in the house as a child.
Remember…
•
• • • • •
When you hear “I’m bored!” First take a step back and let the kids use there imagination and find something fun to do.... they usually will! Give yourself permission to relax and enjoy your kids. So what if the house is a mess? Provide a mix of play settings: independent play; let them invite friends over and play as a family. Respect playtime and its rituals as much as you do mealtime, bed time, and other routines. It’s just as important! Have fun…play can be fun for you as well as the children, whether your watching, or taking part! If your child asks you to play with them, your time is better than any toy to them, so give them some of it!
Indoor play ideas
• • • • • • •
Play dough/face paint recipes Junk modelling/collage Role-play and dress up Games Indoor Dens Thoop, paper aeroplanes, parachutes friendship bracelets. Painting
Outdoor Play
“Letting children go out and play is one of the best things that parents can do for their children’s health” (Mackett 2004)
Why play outdoors?
Playing outside means that you can experiment with those messy activities that you just can't do indoors! Here are some ideas for activities that you can do outside, not only in the summer time, but all year round, just make sure that you wrap up warm in the winter! How can you help you children enjoy playing outdoors
•
•
Don’t be afraid to let your children get dirty or wet. Most materials are washable and mud, paint, grass stains etc, will come out in the wash. Clothes that get wet, will become dry once more. If you’re worried, find them some old clothes to wear just for playing. Save any household rubbish that can be used in children’s play, i.e, plastic bottles, cereal boxes, plastic containers, toilet roll insides. These may seem useless enough to you, but your child may create something wonderful out of them!
•
• •
•
•
Encourage you children to play how they want. Support them as they need you to- if they say “There’s a massive shark in this river”, don’t say “Don’t be silly, there are no sharks here”. Instead say, “Oh my goodness, will it bite my toes if I dip them in?!” Be playful with children and they will continue to play with you. If your child asks you to play with them, your time is better than any toy, so give them some of it! Respect the children’s playtime, it is not an additional aspect of a child’s life, it “is a child’s life” (Susan Isaacs, Psychologist, 1993) Let your children play outside as much as possible, whether in the garden, in the local park, take them to the beach, a grassy field, anywhere where they have some space to play freely. Enjoy spending time with your children, have fun watching or taking part in their play. Before you know it, they’ll be grown up themselves, reflecting on their play experiences like you are now. Let’s give them some brilliant outdoor play experiences to remember.
Outdoor play ideas
•
• • • • • •
Den building (use any materials you can get your hands ontrees, branches, bushes in the garden/field/park) old bed sheets, towels, scarves, scrap wood (but check for jutting out nails first) Tree climbing or using rope attached to a tree as a rope swing Stone skimming in a nearby river/stream or in the sea Building sandcastles, digging a deep hole or building a sand igloo on the beach using sand Damn building, using branches, leaves, stones etc, in a nearby river Have a water fight, using a hosepipe, water balloons, or simply buckets of water! Go for a walk, find a grassy slope, lie sideways and roll down to the bottom-Who can get there first?!
Some activities you can do in your garden!
Painter-Man
You could pretend to be a Painter and Decorator. Use a sand bucket as a paint pot and use a real 'grown-up' paint brush. Fill the bucket with water and a good splash of food colouring. You can use red and blue and mix them to make purple. You can paint the patio, side of the house, fence, slide, trees...
Put the same water and colouring mixture into a plant sprayer (pick them up for a pound or two in a garden centre or supermarket) and spray paint too. Spread out lots of old newspaper all over the grass, patio etc. and spray paint the newspaper.
Mud Pies
Choose a little patch of ground and use a trowel or spade to dig it over a bit so the mud is loose. You need a little watering can, sprayer or washing up bottle filled with water. You can dig holes, fill them with water and watch the water disappear. Maybe dig a little hole and pop a little bowl in as a small 'pond' and decorate it with floating flowers and leaves. Use little plant pots to make mud castles. Make flags from flowers and decorate all around with little stones. Give them an old wooden spoon and a bowl, or pot and let them make delicious mud pies with mud, water, grass, leaves and other delicacies.
Art Attack
This is a great activity for the garden or you could do it indoors with lots of newspaper underneath if the weather's not so good. This is also a fab activity for lots children to do together. Get a roll of wall paper (lining paper is good and cheap). An alternative (and better in some ways as it doesn't curl at the edges) is a pack of disposable white paper table clothes. Then decorate It, using hand prints all over in different colours. Or you could do it with your feet by standing in the paint and walking on the paper (have a washing up bowl of water for washing hands or feet between colours). Or you could have lots of glue and brushes and do it as a giant collage using leaves, sticks and other things you can find in the garden.
Body painting
You need some finger paints or water based paint blocks and some water (in a bucket or washing up bowl). Paint your feet, legs, arms and tummies. This is so much fun!
Cooking
Fill 5 or 6 plastic bowls with kitchen ingredients: one of flour, one of pasta, one of lentils, one of porridge oats, and any other dry ingredients from the store cupboard. You need a big saucepan and
a selection of cutlery - wooden spoon, table spoon, teaspoon, ladle and some plastic cups and jugs with water. Keep the water to a small amount at a time and refill as necessary or they'll just tip it all in at a once. Perhaps keep a jug of water close to hand and get the kids to come to you for refills. If they have a toy kitchen, bring that outside and let them use it 'for real'. Do this on the grass if possible as it can leave a bit of a sticky mess on the patio but you can just sweep it up and throw a bucket of water over it. The birds will do the rest!
Teddy Bears Picnic
Decide who you are going to invite. It could be a neighbour, a friend or just your favourite teddy or doll. Make little invitations and deliver them. Make party hats from newspaper, painted and decorated if you wish, and make smaller hats for the teddies. If you have a tea set, bring it into to the garden, or pack it up for the park, or indoors if it's not such a nice day.
Take the Indoors Out
Bring your indoor toys into the garden for immediate renewed play value! A train track can be built around a tree or through a bush. Tunnels can be built using stones and branches. Engine sheds can be made in tree roots or under shrubs. Your favourite characters can have whole new adventures outdoors: climbing trees, perhaps splashing in bowls of water, having picnics, playing hide and seek, or sharing your outdoor toys: dolls can be pushed on swings or little cars can zoom down slides. The only limit is your imagination!
Drawing on Walls
Something every child has at least thought about! You need a stick or two of chalk, just go and draw on the outside walls. Brick walls or fences make a great giant canvas for your first mural. Then you can use a sponge and some water for just as much fun washing it all off.
Risky play
Do you remember when you were a child? Think back. Go on, close your eyes and think. Think about where you used to play and what you used to do.
Let me guess…was it outdoors? Maybe it involved water, damming a stream or walking up the river in flip flops, if you had shoes on at all. Or perhaps it was the trees, making rope swings and climbing up to the really high bits where the branches went all bendy. Nailing planks to the branches to make those marvellous treehouses, using hammers, saws and nails. Maybe you built a fire, used tools, climbed to dizzying heights and sloshed through water cold enough to turn your legs to stone. More often than not, there were no adults there to tell you what not to do, so you went ahead and did it. Our children who are growing up today have a different set of circumstances - cars everywhere, not so much freedom and places we used to play in that are now housing estates. But even though the environment has changed, children still need to have the same kinds of experiences that we had. It is important that they take some risks, so that they can learn what they can and can’t do, exploring their own limits and learning about the world around them. Did you know that 72% of British children worry about getting told off for getting dirty? But why – it’s part of growing up! Children need to be allowed to experience the world around them without fear of being told off for having mud on their jumper. No-one wants children to come to any harm, but bumps, scrapes and bruises are all part of growing up – the learning and experience that comes with them is very important. Children will need to take some risks so that they can survive in our increasingly hectic world. Simple things like allowing them to walk along walls and climb trees are vital for their healthy, happy development.
Top tips for parents
• • • •
Let your child walk along walls and climb trees – these risky activities will teach your child important life skills. Make sure children have playing clothes that they know it’s ok to get dirty and torn. Allow children time and space away from adults to play freely. Remember what you used to do as a child, and allow your children the same sorts of experiences.
Adults supporting play
Are adults welcome in the play zone?
Adults always have an impact on how children can play. Sometimes, it’s really important to let children get on with it. Just leave them to do what they need to do, be who they need to be. When they’re indoors, we need to leave kids to play without interrupting them about things. They need to work out problems for themselves, not be told how to do things. Let them have time to experiment and explore, it’s how they learn about life. Let them go out to play, let them borrow bits from the shed, and they can play at survival outdoors for a bit. It builds independence and self-reliance. Sometimes, we want to join in the games that our children play, perhaps because they look so fun, or because they remind us of our own childhood - but we need to be invited first Another important job for adults is creating that space where children feel free to play. Worry of getting dirty, of breaking something or of making a mess are all barriers to a child’s play. After all, what’s more important – your children’s healthy development or the way their bedroom looks when they’re playing in it? We can also help other children it our communities to play by being more tolerant of how and where they are playing. Are they really doing any harm playing near your house? Did you do something similar when you were their age? Where else can they go where they’ll be safe? Making sure that we keep parks clean from litter and dogs mess gives children a better environment to play in, and even watching them cross the road to get to the park can make a difference.
Top tips for parents supporting play
• • • •
Let your child walk along walls and climb trees – these risky activities will teach your child important life skills. Make sure children have playing clothes that they know it’s ok to get dirty and torn. Remember what you used to do as a child, and allow your children the same sorts of experiences. Don’t be afraid to let your children get dirty or wet. Most materials are washable and mud, paint, grass stains etc, will come out in the wash. Clothes that get wet, will become dry once more. If you’re worried, find them some old clothes to wear just for playing.
•
•
• •
•
•
Save any household rubbish that can be used in children’s play, i.e, plastic bottles, cereal boxes, plastic containers, toilet roll insides. These may seem useless enough to you, but your child may create something wonderful out of them! Encourage you children to play how they want. Support them as they need you to- if they say “There’s a massive shark in this river”, don’t say “Don’t be silly, there are no sharks here”. Instead say, “Oh my goodness, will it bite my toes if I dip them in?!” Be playful with children and they will continue to play with you. If your child asks you to play with them, your time is better than any toy, so give them some of it! Respect the children’s playtime, it is not an additional aspect of a child’s life, it “is a child’s life” (Susan Isaacs, Psychologist, 1993) Let your children play outside as much as possible, whether in the garden, in the local park, take them to the beach, a grassy field, anywhere where they have some space to play freely. Enjoy spending time with your children, have fun watching or taking part in their play. Before you know it, they’ll be grown up themselves, reflecting on their play experiences like you are now. Let’s give them some brilliant outdoor play experiences to remember.
Celebrate European Day of Languages with the OU in Wales Whether you’re ordering a coffee in Calais or a meal in Mexico, being able to communicate in another language has real advantages. Anyone who’d rather not just shout louder in English (or Welsh !) and would like to learn a new language can find out more by visiting the Open University in Wales’ Language Information Stand at Cardiff Central Library on Wednesday 26 September (10am – 5pm) OU in Wales staff will be on hand to chat as part of European Day of Languages 2007. Visitors can discuss their queries, talk to a tutor, enter a competition and see what they think of taster course materials. The European Day of Languages (EDL), a Council of Europe initiative, is held annually on the 26 September to celebrate language and cultural diversity. The Day was first celebrated in 2001, the European Year of Languages and involves more people every year. The OU in Wales offers a variety of courses- from Beginners’ Italian to French, German and Spanish at certificate, diploma and degree level. The courses encourage students to develop their language skills and also to learn more about countries’ different cultures and traditions. Courses can be counted towards a Certificate or the more advanced Diploma in a particular language, or added to other courses and counted towards a degree in Modern Languages or other related subjects. Every student has a personal tutor, who gives individual feedback on assignments, and provides support and advice throughout the course. The OU in Wales Language Information stand is at: Cardiff Central Library, John Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BA Wednesday 26 September 10.00 – 17.00
Ring (029) 2047 1170 for more information. Editor’s Notes
The Open University in Wales website: www.open.ac.uk/Wales European Day of Languages website: www.cilt.org.uk/edl/
External Affairs The Open University in Wales 18 Custom House Street Cardiff CF10 1AP t +44 (0)29 2047 1019 f +44 (0)29 2038 8132 w www.open.ac.uk/wales
News
For the attention of: News Editors, Education Correspondents, Sports correspondents 21 May 2007 Avanti ! OU offers fans Italian tips for Champions’ League Final The Open University is launching a new course in Italian for beginners – L195 Andante. The course will start in November so anyone who wants to learn more after a summer holiday taste of Italian life can develop their skills. Andante offers a blend of tutor-supported independent study and interactive Internet-based language practice activities, together with some face-to-face tutorials wherever practicable. But in the meantime the course team have come up with a few key phrases that football fans facing the trauma of another Liverpool v Milan cup final can watch out for. Rigore ! (Penalty !) (Handball !) Fuorigioco ! (Offside !) Fallo (Foul) And if the result goes Liverpool’s way again you might want to say ‘Peccato. La vostra squadra ha giocato bene’ (Unlucky. Your team played well) to any Milan fans in your vicinity. Anyone who wants to learn more can either call (0)29 2047 1170 to chat with an advisor in Welsh or English or visit Fallo di mano ! Punizione (Free kick)
www.open.ac.uk
Editor’s Notes
The Open University in Wales is part of the UK-wide Open University organization but with one main difference – it is funded directly by the Welsh Assembly. This means that the 6,000 students who study with the OU in Wales every year get the best of both worlds. They have dedicated support from Cardiff concentrating solely on the needs of students in Wales and the vast resources of the OU nationally, which are second to none. Visit www.open.ac.uk/wales for more information. The OU is a leading provider of higher education through supported open learning, regionally, nationally and worldwide.
Resources Web
The Open University in Wales website: www.open.ac.uk/Wales
Media contacts
Laura Mark 2026 2753 [email protected] +(44) 29
“The right to play is a child’s first claim on the community. Play is nature’s training for life. No community can infringe that right without doing deep and enduring harm to the minds and bodies of it’s citizens” (David Lloyd George) “By playing, children learn and develop as individuals, and as members of the community” (Best Play, NPFA 2002) “Letting children go out and play is one of the best things that parents can do for their children’s health” (Mackett 2004) A mix of active, imaginative and creative play makes for a brilliantly balanced diet of play. Some children prefer to spend most of their time with creative play, some with imaginative play and others with active play. There is nothing wrong in liking one toy or game in particular, but a balanced diet of play is best for development. In other words, it's good for your child to play in lots of different ways. Each type of play contributes in its own way to all-round psychological progress. Your child gets something different out of playing with different toys. Encourage your child to achieve a balanced diet of play by offering a regular change of play activities. You can suggest new types of games and new toys. A balanced diet of play is as important as good food or love. According to Dr Richard Woolfson (an educational psychologist with 30 years' experience and a qualified nursery and primary school teacher), a portion each of three types of play each day helps with every child's healthy development:
•
Creative play is about drawing, painting, playing music, cooking, or making something (anything!). It doesn't matter what your child makes, or whether there's a perfect result. Through creative play, your child expresses his- or herself, learns about process, discovers cause and effect and gains pride in their achievements. Imaginative play starts in your child's head. It can be roleplaying, creating a new game, giving toys a voice, inventing adventures or playing a word game. Through imaginative play your child begins to understand the world, investigates fact and fiction, and develops positive relationships with
•
themselves and other people.
•
Active play is how your child moves in the world. It is running, jumping, catching and dancing - all of which build strength and boost coordination. Active play is also a great way to learn about teamwork, release tension and feel truly free.
Play is a serious business, as far as children are concerned. Play makes an immense contribution to your child's development in lots of important ways. As a child plays, they learn all about themselves and what they can do. Play helps them make friends, enjoy company and discover the world around them. Your child has fun while playing and at the same time is exercising, discovering and developing both emotionally and physically. That's what makes play so wonderful!
Improving Confidence Through Play
Play boosts your child's self-confidence in many ways:
•
Exploration. By learning through discovery, your child develops belief in their skills and abilities. Movement. As soon as your child can move, they want to play. The "I got there by myself" expression shows your child's growing confidence. Playing is also a fantastic form of exercise and as the facts show us, children need regular exercise.
•
Facts:
o o
o o
Welsh children are the second most overweight in Europe According to recent research by the World Health Organisation – in Wales, 23% of boys and 17% of girls are obese. 60% of children spend up to 4 hours a day watching TV. Only 60% of children have regular opportunities to play outside.
•
Imagination. Children use their imagination in pretend-play. This is a new and exciting experience for children, and they
love it.
•
Creativity. Every child can be creative in play. Your child will be delighted when you smile at their drawings and paintings. Socialising. Playing with friends is a great way for your child to learn important social skills like sharing and taking turns. Problem-solving. Your child's confidence is boosted by solving a puzzle - they would rather do it without too much help. Language. Playing with others builds up your child's vocabulary, speech and communication skills.
•
•
•
Individual Play Patterns
The way your child plays depends on many different factors. First there's their age and stage of development - play becomes more complicated as your child grows older. Personality matters too - an enthusiastic child will get stuck in to toys immediately while a passive child may hold back. The range of toys and games available affects play - a child who hasn't got a pedal toy, for example, won't learn how to make it move by pushing the pedals. Every child instinctively needs to play. But there are many distractions that can grab young interest. For example, a television programme or a computer game may attract your child's attention away from toys and games.
A Balanced Diet of Play
Some children prefer to spend most of their time with creative play, some with imaginative play and others with active play. There is nothing wrong in liking one toy or game in particular, but a balanced diet of play is best for development. In other words, it's good for your child to play in lots of different ways. Each type of play contributes in its own way to all-round psychological progress. Your child gets something different out of playing with different toys. Encourage your child to achieve a balanced diet of play by offering a regular change of play activities.
Top Tips To Boost Your Child's Confidence Through Play
•
Give lots of praise when your child plays well.
•
Use age-appropriate toys that challenge your child's understanding. Gently encourage your child to play with puzzle toys. Aim for your child to increase learning in small stages. Let your child choose what toys to play with, most of the time. Prove that you are interested by watching your child at play. Be sympathetic when your child becomes frustrated in play. Avoid comparing the way your child plays with the way another child plays. Brag to your friends and relatives about your child's play achievements in front of them. Give your child a cuddle sometimes during play.
• • •
• • •
•
•
Indoor play
Playing in doors doesn’t have to mean computers!
Running out of ideas to keep your kids happy and occupied at weekends or during the school holidays? Fed up of them being bored on a rainy day? If the answer to any of these questions is yes… then we’ve got some ideas and suggestions for you to get your children’s imaginations going, and…ore importantly…stop them from being bored! There’s lots of ways to play indoors, and children are the experts on how they like to play best. The old favourite that a cardboard box is more fun than any toy is so true, try it! If they really need some ideas, think simple, think about what you used to do in the house as a child.
Remember…
•
• • • • •
When you hear “I’m bored!” First take a step back and let the kids use there imagination and find something fun to do.... they usually will! Give yourself permission to relax and enjoy your kids. So what if the house is a mess? Provide a mix of play settings: independent play; let them invite friends over and play as a family. Respect playtime and its rituals as much as you do mealtime, bed time, and other routines. It’s just as important! Have fun…play can be fun for you as well as the children, whether your watching, or taking part! If your child asks you to play with them, your time is better than any toy to them, so give them some of it!
Indoor play ideas
• • • • • • •
Play dough/face paint recipes Junk modelling/collage Role-play and dress up Games Indoor Dens Thoop, paper aeroplanes, parachutes friendship bracelets. Painting
Outdoor Play
“Letting children go out and play is one of the best things that parents can do for their children’s health” (Mackett 2004)
Why play outdoors?
Playing outside means that you can experiment with those messy activities that you just can't do indoors! Here are some ideas for activities that you can do outside, not only in the summer time, but all year round, just make sure that you wrap up warm in the winter! How can you help you children enjoy playing outdoors
•
•
Don’t be afraid to let your children get dirty or wet. Most materials are washable and mud, paint, grass stains etc, will come out in the wash. Clothes that get wet, will become dry once more. If you’re worried, find them some old clothes to wear just for playing. Save any household rubbish that can be used in children’s play, i.e, plastic bottles, cereal boxes, plastic containers, toilet roll insides. These may seem useless enough to you, but your child may create something wonderful out of them!
•
• •
•
•
Encourage you children to play how they want. Support them as they need you to- if they say “There’s a massive shark in this river”, don’t say “Don’t be silly, there are no sharks here”. Instead say, “Oh my goodness, will it bite my toes if I dip them in?!” Be playful with children and they will continue to play with you. If your child asks you to play with them, your time is better than any toy, so give them some of it! Respect the children’s playtime, it is not an additional aspect of a child’s life, it “is a child’s life” (Susan Isaacs, Psychologist, 1993) Let your children play outside as much as possible, whether in the garden, in the local park, take them to the beach, a grassy field, anywhere where they have some space to play freely. Enjoy spending time with your children, have fun watching or taking part in their play. Before you know it, they’ll be grown up themselves, reflecting on their play experiences like you are now. Let’s give them some brilliant outdoor play experiences to remember.
Outdoor play ideas
•
• • • • • •
Den building (use any materials you can get your hands ontrees, branches, bushes in the garden/field/park) old bed sheets, towels, scarves, scrap wood (but check for jutting out nails first) Tree climbing or using rope attached to a tree as a rope swing Stone skimming in a nearby river/stream or in the sea Building sandcastles, digging a deep hole or building a sand igloo on the beach using sand Damn building, using branches, leaves, stones etc, in a nearby river Have a water fight, using a hosepipe, water balloons, or simply buckets of water! Go for a walk, find a grassy slope, lie sideways and roll down to the bottom-Who can get there first?!
Some activities you can do in your garden!
Painter-Man
You could pretend to be a Painter and Decorator. Use a sand bucket as a paint pot and use a real 'grown-up' paint brush. Fill the bucket with water and a good splash of food colouring. You can use red and blue and mix them to make purple. You can paint the patio, side of the house, fence, slide, trees...
Put the same water and colouring mixture into a plant sprayer (pick them up for a pound or two in a garden centre or supermarket) and spray paint too. Spread out lots of old newspaper all over the grass, patio etc. and spray paint the newspaper.
Mud Pies
Choose a little patch of ground and use a trowel or spade to dig it over a bit so the mud is loose. You need a little watering can, sprayer or washing up bottle filled with water. You can dig holes, fill them with water and watch the water disappear. Maybe dig a little hole and pop a little bowl in as a small 'pond' and decorate it with floating flowers and leaves. Use little plant pots to make mud castles. Make flags from flowers and decorate all around with little stones. Give them an old wooden spoon and a bowl, or pot and let them make delicious mud pies with mud, water, grass, leaves and other delicacies.
Art Attack
This is a great activity for the garden or you could do it indoors with lots of newspaper underneath if the weather's not so good. This is also a fab activity for lots children to do together. Get a roll of wall paper (lining paper is good and cheap). An alternative (and better in some ways as it doesn't curl at the edges) is a pack of disposable white paper table clothes. Then decorate It, using hand prints all over in different colours. Or you could do it with your feet by standing in the paint and walking on the paper (have a washing up bowl of water for washing hands or feet between colours). Or you could have lots of glue and brushes and do it as a giant collage using leaves, sticks and other things you can find in the garden.
Body painting
You need some finger paints or water based paint blocks and some water (in a bucket or washing up bowl). Paint your feet, legs, arms and tummies. This is so much fun!
Cooking
Fill 5 or 6 plastic bowls with kitchen ingredients: one of flour, one of pasta, one of lentils, one of porridge oats, and any other dry ingredients from the store cupboard. You need a big saucepan and
a selection of cutlery - wooden spoon, table spoon, teaspoon, ladle and some plastic cups and jugs with water. Keep the water to a small amount at a time and refill as necessary or they'll just tip it all in at a once. Perhaps keep a jug of water close to hand and get the kids to come to you for refills. If they have a toy kitchen, bring that outside and let them use it 'for real'. Do this on the grass if possible as it can leave a bit of a sticky mess on the patio but you can just sweep it up and throw a bucket of water over it. The birds will do the rest!
Teddy Bears Picnic
Decide who you are going to invite. It could be a neighbour, a friend or just your favourite teddy or doll. Make little invitations and deliver them. Make party hats from newspaper, painted and decorated if you wish, and make smaller hats for the teddies. If you have a tea set, bring it into to the garden, or pack it up for the park, or indoors if it's not such a nice day.
Take the Indoors Out
Bring your indoor toys into the garden for immediate renewed play value! A train track can be built around a tree or through a bush. Tunnels can be built using stones and branches. Engine sheds can be made in tree roots or under shrubs. Your favourite characters can have whole new adventures outdoors: climbing trees, perhaps splashing in bowls of water, having picnics, playing hide and seek, or sharing your outdoor toys: dolls can be pushed on swings or little cars can zoom down slides. The only limit is your imagination!
Drawing on Walls
Something every child has at least thought about! You need a stick or two of chalk, just go and draw on the outside walls. Brick walls or fences make a great giant canvas for your first mural. Then you can use a sponge and some water for just as much fun washing it all off.
Risky play
Do you remember when you were a child? Think back. Go on, close your eyes and think. Think about where you used to play and what you used to do.
Let me guess…was it outdoors? Maybe it involved water, damming a stream or walking up the river in flip flops, if you had shoes on at all. Or perhaps it was the trees, making rope swings and climbing up to the really high bits where the branches went all bendy. Nailing planks to the branches to make those marvellous treehouses, using hammers, saws and nails. Maybe you built a fire, used tools, climbed to dizzying heights and sloshed through water cold enough to turn your legs to stone. More often than not, there were no adults there to tell you what not to do, so you went ahead and did it. Our children who are growing up today have a different set of circumstances - cars everywhere, not so much freedom and places we used to play in that are now housing estates. But even though the environment has changed, children still need to have the same kinds of experiences that we had. It is important that they take some risks, so that they can learn what they can and can’t do, exploring their own limits and learning about the world around them. Did you know that 72% of British children worry about getting told off for getting dirty? But why – it’s part of growing up! Children need to be allowed to experience the world around them without fear of being told off for having mud on their jumper. No-one wants children to come to any harm, but bumps, scrapes and bruises are all part of growing up – the learning and experience that comes with them is very important. Children will need to take some risks so that they can survive in our increasingly hectic world. Simple things like allowing them to walk along walls and climb trees are vital for their healthy, happy development.
Top tips for parents
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Let your child walk along walls and climb trees – these risky activities will teach your child important life skills. Make sure children have playing clothes that they know it’s ok to get dirty and torn. Allow children time and space away from adults to play freely. Remember what you used to do as a child, and allow your children the same sorts of experiences.
Adults supporting play
Are adults welcome in the play zone?
Adults always have an impact on how children can play. Sometimes, it’s really important to let children get on with it. Just leave them to do what they need to do, be who they need to be. When they’re indoors, we need to leave kids to play without interrupting them about things. They need to work out problems for themselves, not be told how to do things. Let them have time to experiment and explore, it’s how they learn about life. Let them go out to play, let them borrow bits from the shed, and they can play at survival outdoors for a bit. It builds independence and self-reliance. Sometimes, we want to join in the games that our children play, perhaps because they look so fun, or because they remind us of our own childhood - but we need to be invited first Another important job for adults is creating that space where children feel free to play. Worry of getting dirty, of breaking something or of making a mess are all barriers to a child’s play. After all, what’s more important – your children’s healthy development or the way their bedroom looks when they’re playing in it? We can also help other children it our communities to play by being more tolerant of how and where they are playing. Are they really doing any harm playing near your house? Did you do something similar when you were their age? Where else can they go where they’ll be safe? Making sure that we keep parks clean from litter and dogs mess gives children a better environment to play in, and even watching them cross the road to get to the park can make a difference.
Top tips for parents supporting play
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Let your child walk along walls and climb trees – these risky activities will teach your child important life skills. Make sure children have playing clothes that they know it’s ok to get dirty and torn. Remember what you used to do as a child, and allow your children the same sorts of experiences. Don’t be afraid to let your children get dirty or wet. Most materials are washable and mud, paint, grass stains etc, will come out in the wash. Clothes that get wet, will become dry once more. If you’re worried, find them some old clothes to wear just for playing.
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Save any household rubbish that can be used in children’s play, i.e, plastic bottles, cereal boxes, plastic containers, toilet roll insides. These may seem useless enough to you, but your child may create something wonderful out of them! Encourage you children to play how they want. Support them as they need you to- if they say “There’s a massive shark in this river”, don’t say “Don’t be silly, there are no sharks here”. Instead say, “Oh my goodness, will it bite my toes if I dip them in?!” Be playful with children and they will continue to play with you. If your child asks you to play with them, your time is better than any toy, so give them some of it! Respect the children’s playtime, it is not an additional aspect of a child’s life, it “is a child’s life” (Susan Isaacs, Psychologist, 1993) Let your children play outside as much as possible, whether in the garden, in the local park, take them to the beach, a grassy field, anywhere where they have some space to play freely. Enjoy spending time with your children, have fun watching or taking part in their play. Before you know it, they’ll be grown up themselves, reflecting on their play experiences like you are now. Let’s give them some brilliant outdoor play experiences to remember.
Celebrate European Day of Languages with the OU in Wales Whether you’re ordering a coffee in Calais or a meal in Mexico, being able to communicate in another language has real advantages. Anyone who’d rather not just shout louder in English (or Welsh !) and would like to learn a new language can find out more by visiting the Open University in Wales’ Language Information Stand at Cardiff Central Library on Wednesday 26 September (10am – 5pm) OU in Wales staff will be on hand to chat as part of European Day of Languages 2007. Visitors can discuss their queries, talk to a tutor, enter a competition and see what they think of taster course materials. The European Day of Languages (EDL), a Council of Europe initiative, is held annually on the 26 September to celebrate language and cultural diversity. The Day was first celebrated in 2001, the European Year of Languages and involves more people every year. The OU in Wales offers a variety of courses- from Beginners’ Italian to French, German and Spanish at certificate, diploma and degree level. The courses encourage students to develop their language skills and also to learn more about countries’ different cultures and traditions. Courses can be counted towards a Certificate or the more advanced Diploma in a particular language, or added to other courses and counted towards a degree in Modern Languages or other related subjects. Every student has a personal tutor, who gives individual feedback on assignments, and provides support and advice throughout the course. The OU in Wales Language Information stand is at: Cardiff Central Library, John Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BA Wednesday 26 September 10.00 – 17.00
Ring (029) 2047 1170 for more information. Editor’s Notes
The Open University in Wales website: www.open.ac.uk/Wales European Day of Languages website: www.cilt.org.uk/edl/
External Affairs The Open University in Wales 18 Custom House Street Cardiff CF10 1AP t +44 (0)29 2047 1019 f +44 (0)29 2038 8132 w www.open.ac.uk/wales
News
For the attention of: News Editors, Education Correspondents, Sports correspondents 21 May 2007 Avanti ! OU offers fans Italian tips for Champions’ League Final The Open University is launching a new course in Italian for beginners – L195 Andante. The course will start in November so anyone who wants to learn more after a summer holiday taste of Italian life can develop their skills. Andante offers a blend of tutor-supported independent study and interactive Internet-based language practice activities, together with some face-to-face tutorials wherever practicable. But in the meantime the course team have come up with a few key phrases that football fans facing the trauma of another Liverpool v Milan cup final can watch out for. Rigore ! (Penalty !) (Handball !) Fuorigioco ! (Offside !) Fallo (Foul) And if the result goes Liverpool’s way again you might want to say ‘Peccato. La vostra squadra ha giocato bene’ (Unlucky. Your team played well) to any Milan fans in your vicinity. Anyone who wants to learn more can either call (0)29 2047 1170 to chat with an advisor in Welsh or English or visit Fallo di mano ! Punizione (Free kick)
www.open.ac.uk
Editor’s Notes
The Open University in Wales is part of the UK-wide Open University organization but with one main difference – it is funded directly by the Welsh Assembly. This means that the 6,000 students who study with the OU in Wales every year get the best of both worlds. They have dedicated support from Cardiff concentrating solely on the needs of students in Wales and the vast resources of the OU nationally, which are second to none. Visit www.open.ac.uk/wales for more information. The OU is a leading provider of higher education through supported open learning, regionally, nationally and worldwide.
Resources Web
The Open University in Wales website: www.open.ac.uk/Wales
Media contacts
Laura Mark 2026 2753 [email protected] +(44) 29
