National Centre for Family Learning’s Post

Play is every child’s right — on Playday and every day. #Playday2024 #PlayAndCulture 🙌🛝 Happy National Playday, this year’s theme is ‘the culture of childhood; supporting play, fun and friendship’. 😁🦋 If you’re anything like us, you recognise how important play is for children (and adults, too) — a play area is the perfect answer to create a culture of play within your own community. 🏰🪵 Learn how you can support play, fun and friendship, here: https://lnkd.in/ewga7y3U #HomeFrontOutdoorPlay #CommercialPlaygrounds #PlaygroundDesign

Playday is the national day for play, celebrated each year, across the UK, on the first Wednesday in August - Today, yay 😀 This year's theme is Play – the culture of childhood - Supporting play, fun and friendships. We all know how important it is for children to play, it's part of how they learn, but did you know that playing is just as important for adults as it is for children? Play is amazing, it can boost your creativity, sharpen your sense of humor, strengthen your relationships, boost your problem solving abilities and help you cope better with stress. Anything you do for fun which brings you enjoyment, joy or excitement counts as playing, whether it’s gaming, playing sports, baking/cooking, writing or crafting (this is not an exhaustive list). Whatever style of play works for you, make sure you prioritise some regular time for it in your life, because it can have substantial benefits for your mental and physical well-being. My favourite types of play (in no particular order) include exploring the outdoors (on land and in water), dancing wildly (I'm not very coordinated), writing, cooking, and various forms of crafty/creative activities like knitting, crochet, & flower pressing. Hit the comments to let me know how you get your play fix 🔽 #playday #play #growth #selfdevelopment

Today we get to celebrate the inaugural International Day of Play! 🤸 The United Nations General Assembly got together and made the 11th of June the International Day of Play - because they believe (and so do we) that every child can reach their full potential, with the time, space and access to play. 97% of children believe play is important yet one in three do not have the time to play. To change this, children are asking adults and decision-makers to: • Invest in children’s well-being by protecting their right to play. • Provide children with more time and opportunities to play, including in school. • Protect their right to play by creating safe and accessible places to play, including for those with special needs. • Respect their rights to be heard in decisions impacting their right to play. • Support them in developing social skills through play. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dWMxentj #PlayWorks #PlayCo #InternationalDayofPlay

Today marks International Day of Play. An important day for me and all of my colleagues here at ESP PLAY.    As I sit here writing this, I think about how far we have come as a business and the differences we have made to children’s lives all over the country. Yet it still doesn’t feel like enough.    Through our campaign, the Playvolution, I’m still being sent images of dangerous, run-down, and neglected playgrounds on a daily basis which is a firm reminder of how far we’ve got to go yet.    I’ll continue to do everything in my power to ensure a better future for children and young people throughout the UK.    Play opens up a world of possibilities.    Play is crucial to a child’s development.    Play is a fundamental right.    I would encourage you to read our recent Play Gap report in which we uncover some harsh realities about play in the UK: https://lnkd.in/eF8e6WHy    #InternationalDayOfPlay #ESP #Playground #PlaygroundRenovation #StateOfPlay #ESPPlay #ThePlaygroundExperts #Playvolurion

Encouraging your child to play alone has big benefits! 🌟 It boosts self-reliance, creativity, and social independence while giving you a well-deserved break. Learn more about the perks of solo playtime and how to encourage it. 💡 https://lnkd.in/evXzGXwe

As someone who loves spending quality time with my family, I sometimes dread the busyness of Q4. With kids going back to school and business back in full swing, it can be easy to become overwhelmed and let those quality moments slip through your fingers. But these moments of connection and recovery are essential for building your long-term resilience. Here are a few fun ways to create family bonding time within your home: • Visit the library and get a library card. Check out a book at least once per month. • Restart a tradition of reading time at home. Storytime doesn’t have to end just because children get older! • Explore new genres with your children. Kids are always asking “why?” Use that as an opportunity to learn “why” together. • Play Scrabble or other word games. Watch that competitive spirit come alive as they become determined to beat mom and dad.

Playtime might look carefree, but did you know it has a powerful impact on your child's development? Play therapy, specifically, helps hone those all-important decision-making and problem-solving skills. Has your child ever surprised you with a creative solution to a problem during playtime? Or maybe you've seen how playtime choices help them learn consequences? Share your stories! 👇

Powerful reminder from our friends at KOMPAN Global to ensure we consider all children, when selecting your playground partner. Like children, no two playground partners are the same… Parkworks understands this, and we are here to support you with your next playground project every step of the way. Think inclusive, Think differently, Think Parkworks

Children are all different, each have their individual personalities, passions and strengths. But universally, they share the urge to play. We share the playground stories of individuals with diverse abilities, reminding us of the need for truly inclusive playgrounds. Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eR3FeZmk

Today marks the first-ever International Day of Play! Let's celebrate the power of play, not just for kids, but for adults too! In our busy lives, it's easy to forget the joy and benefits that play brings. Whether it's trying out a new hobby, engaging in a fun activity with friends, or simply taking a moment to be silly, play is essential for our well-being and creativity. 💡 So let's pause, reflect, and embrace the playful spirit within us. Let's remember that play isn't just for kids—it's a vital part of what makes us human. 🌟 How will you play today and every day? #InternationalDayOfPlay #PlayfulLearning #PlayforWellbeing #JoyfulWork