Irene Ukpanyang Akogwu’s Post

Every child has the right to play. But today, on International Day of Play, let's take a moment to think about the children who are excluded, who can't participate, who are often not seen as fun to play with. It's not because they lack toys—anything can become a toy. It's because they haven't developed certain skills and therefore don't know how to play. They might not understand the rules, struggle to relate to their peers, clumsy, or have difficulty waiting their turn. It is our responsibility to include them in the joy of playing, to enable them to participate, and to teach them how to play. This is NestingPlay's mission, and it is what we strive to achieve every day. #InternationalDayofPlay

For anyone wondering how we approach drama and imaginative play, here's how to play one of our preschool games. It needs no props or costumes and can be played with a single child or groups of children of any size. HOW TO PLAY: 1. Sit with your preschooler(s). Explain that the big bad troll is hungry - everyone must be ready to run! 2. Sing the first verse of ‘5 little goats’ (to tune of ‘5 little monkeys jumping on the bed’): 5 little goats went off to play In the field far away A big bad troll said, “I can see Something tasty for my tea!” At the end of the verse, take on the role of the troll and chase your preschoolers into one corner. Pretend to gobble them up if you catch them! 3. Count how many goats are left and sing the second verse: 4 little goats went off to play In the field far away A big bad troll said, “I can see Something tasty for my tea!” Take on the role of the troll again and chase your preschoolers into a different corner of the room 4. Continue to sing/play until you get to the end of the song and there are no goats left (3, 2, 1 little goats) EXTENSION: Children take it in turns to take on the role of the troll Would your preschoolers enjoy this game? Would you try playing it? If you have any questions before or after playing, please ask! #preschool #preschoolactivities #preschoolteachers #earlyyears #earlyyearseducation #teachertraining #learnthroughplay

Have you engaged in play today? Have you created time and space for children to play? Let's admit it, everyone enjoys some fun! But here's the thing: play is more than just fun. Through play, children learn, exercise creativity, and explore boundless possibilities. As we commemorate the inaugural International Day of Play, let's recognise the profound benefits it offers to children. Happy International Day of Play. #IDOP #InternationalDayofPlay #learningthroughplay

Playtime is not just about fun and games - it’s also essential for your child’s physical development! Through play, children develop their motor skills and coordination 💪🏻 Here are some tips for encouraging your child’s physical development through play: Provide your child with plenty of opportunities to play outdoors. This could include going to the park, playing in the playgrounds, or taking a walk around the neighborhood. Choose toys and activities that are appropriate for your child’s age and development level. Get involved in your child’s playtime. Play with them, chase them around, and help them learn new physical skills. Make sure your child gets enough rest. Tired children are less likely to be active and engaged in physical play. Play is a great way for children to get the exercise they need to stay healthy and develop their physical skills. So get out there and play! #play #physicaldevelopment #grossmotorskills #finemotorskills #coordination #parenting #education

How does play help children grow and thrive? 🧩✨ This International Day of Play, we’re celebrating the benefits of play in children’s lives. Through play, children explore the world around them and develop qualities like persistence, curiosity and imagination. These early experiences set the foundation for a lifelong love of learning💡 For tips on how you can integrate play into a child’s learning, visit https://brnw.ch/21wKDdg #InternationalDayofPlay #PlayBasedLearning

Today, (7th August) marks National Play Day 2024 celebrating children’s right to play. This year’s theme is ‘the culture of childhood’, a very apt theme for the current ongoing push to the government for more play opportunities across England. Play England, co-organisers of Play Day, are urging the government for a larger play budget and strategy in order to improve childhoods. Many towns and cities are severely lacking play opportunities leading children to turn towards indoor activities, technology and consequently solitude. Play, as well as just being fun, encourages children to form friendships, communicate, take risks, step out of their comfort zone, get creative, explore and so much more. These are all vital parts of development and we need to ensure that children are still able to get that kind of exposure in an increasingly digital world. Take a read of the following open letters to government by Play England and Association of Play Industries (API), advocating for more thought towards play. Make the most of 'Play Day' 2024 and get involved by engaging in playful activities! #playday #playengland #api #playopportunities #timberplay #outdoorplaygrounds #nationalplaystrategies 

International Day of Play: Play Makes a Better World Today, on June 11, 2024, we celebrate the first-ever International Day of Play. It's time to recognize the transformative power of play and its vital role in education. Integrating play into the education agenda can revolutionize learning, making it more engaging, effective, and enjoyable. Play fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It helps children develop cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. By adding play to the curriculum, we can create more dynamic and inclusive learning environments where students are motivated and eager to learn. Let's advocate for play in education and build a brighter future for our children. When we play, we not only make learning fun but also equip the next generation with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Because when play becomes a part of education, everyone wins. #InternationalPlayDay #PlayfulLearning #PlayMakesABetterWorld #PutPlayBackOnTheEducationAgenda

Celebrating the #InternationalDayofPlay with simple and engaging strategies to encourage active play in young children. Try asking simple prompting questions: Can you balance along that log? What else can you balance along? Want to play catch with me? Lets find lots of things to jump over? Can you teach me how to run fast? Watch our minute-long video for more simple and engaging strategies to encourage active play.

The International Day of Play is particularly special for our Child and Infant lab as we start our ambitious project on "Grammar of Play" !! We are hoping to get some grants soon !! Unravelling the intricate dimensions of play has been our emphasis and we will continue our work :) Glad to see that the emphasis on PLAY for promoting early childhood development is gaining momentum !! Together, we can continue to highlight the importance of play :) TOYS are the "TIMELESS TREASURES" that shape the intricate foundations of neural architecture, serving as more than mere play objects. These objects are the architects of imagination, creativity, and cognitive growth, weaving the threads of development through every child's mind. Neural pathways are being forged and strengthened, laying down the groundwork for future learning :)

🌟 It's the very first International Day of Play! 🌟 As an educator and school leader myself, I've seen firsthand how play transforms young minds. Remember those days when you couldn't focus unless learning felt like an adventure? That was me! It was only through stories, games, and hands-on activities that I truly engaged in school. And let's not forget those late evenings playing hide and seek or creating epic indoor adventures with friends. Why is play so crucial? 🤔 Because it's not just about fun—it's about developing resilience, leadership, and creativity. Did you know? 1. 71% of children say play is important because it makes them happy, and 58% say that it helps them make friends and have a good time with others. 2. It is estimated that 160 million children around the world are working instead of playing or learning. 3. Only 1 in 4 children play out regularly on their street compared their grandparents generation where almost three-quarters said they played outside a few times a week. 4. 41% of children had been told to stop playing out by either their parents or other adults such as neighbours. Source : United Nations Today, on June 11, 2024, let’s champion every child’s right to play. Try new play ideas with your kids, spread the word, and let’s make every day filled with playful moments. Who's with me? How will you celebrate play with your children today? Share your ideas and let's inspire each other! 🙌 🙌 #InternationalDayOfPlay #PlayMatters #ChildhoodDevelopment