Tony Burns OAM’s Post

Hello #linkedincommunity International Play Day 2024  Theme: "Play Unites Us All" International Play Day 2024 celebrates the universal language of play under the theme "Play Unites Us All." This special day emphasizes the power of play in bringing people together, transcending boundaries of age, culture, and geography. Play fosters creativity, collaboration, and understanding, creating bonds that strengthen communities and nurture positive relationships. Play is a fundamental right; it builds resilience, instills confidence, and helps children develop. Play heals through learning, life skills, and psychosocial well-being. That’s why there must be investment in diverse, inclusive, and safe play spaces, extending access to all, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized children. There are so many reasons we should all be celebrating the power of play. Why is play so important?  Play isn’t just fun; it’s fundamental to children’s development. Play creates powerful learning opportunities – intellectual, social, emotional, and physical. Through play, children make connections with others, build leadership skills, develop resilience, navigate challenges, and conquer their fears. As we gather to commemorate this day, let's embrace the joy and connection that play brings into our lives. Whether through sports, games, or imaginative activities, let us remember that play is a fundamental human right that enriches our lives and unites us all in our shared humanity. And remember, there's no need to wait until June 11 – every day is an opportunity for playful moments.#InternationalPlayDay #PlayUnitesUsAll #CaridadClub #HumanitarianClub #ChildDevelopment #CommunityBuilding #PlayForAll #InclusivePlay #SafePlaySpaces #HumanRights #ChildhoodDevelopment #PlayAndLearn #BuildingResilience

In the insightful words of Barbara Hendricks from her book "Designing for Play," we're invited to revisit our childhood through a modern lens. Hendricks poignantly notes, "Playfulness teaches us as adults to step back and recognize that while we played when we were children, we lack the experience of contemporary childhood." This observation opens a window into the evolving nature of play - a transition from the untethered outdoor escapades and imaginative explorations of our past to today's digital playgrounds where technology reigns supreme. But what does this shift mean for us and the generations to come? It's more than nostalgia; it's a reflection on how the essence of play has transformed, influencing creativity, problem-solving, and social interactions. We invite you to share your fondest childhood play memory and contrast it with what you observe in children's play today. How do you think these changes impact the development and imagination of today's youth? Join the conversation below and let's explore the profound implications of the play generation gap together. https://lnkd.in/gn-5TStj #PlayGenerationGap #ChildhoodMemories #DigitalPlayground

Since toys are the backbone of McKendall Communications, the news that the United Nations is recognizing the power of play is exciting! Now, on June 11th, it will be a global celebration of International Day of Play! "UNICEF estimates that 160 million children around the world are working instead of playing or learning. Yet, even in their darkest moments, children can find their way back to hope, health and happiness through play. Because play is never just play. Play is powerful. The power of play unlocks potential, instils confidence, saves lives, heals and creates a world of possibilities." This important work was initiated by the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation in partnership with Mattel, ADEA, Arup, BRAC, Change X, Concerned for Working Children, Eurochild, Hasbro, INGKA, International Play Association, IRC, KidZania, NIKE, Inc., PEDAL, Plan International, Right To Play International, Save the Children, and Sesame Workshop. #internationaldayofplay #toys #globalnews #unitednations #kids #play #publicrelations #publicrelationsagency #womeninpr https://lnkd.in/gZiresTG

When thinking of what to do with your children of a weekend, a weekday or a holiday, does ‘play’ ever cross your mind? Or are you thinking more theme parks, days out and other big events? I am the first to admit that I am not wired to play, in my 25th year of being an educator, I see every situation around me as a teachable moment, so really struggle with letting go and going with the flow! However, when I do just stop and do something unstructured, play-based, as a family we reap the rewards. Play I have learnt over the years can take on many forms, going to the park and chucking a Frisbee back and forth, sitting together around a table and colouring in, or yes, getting the Lego out and creating the latest and best tree house ever built from those little blocks of plastic that we all love to hate, especially when trodden on! For anyone who will listen or who stands still long enough for me to speak about my passionate attitude towards the power of play, will know that play, for any age of child (or adult) is so important. It is also the first thing to go when we are busy or our children want to be in front of a screen or are being chauffeured to their many activities. If you sit back and reflect now, where does play fit into your family's lives? In a day? A week? Or across the month? How can you increase the opportunities for play for your children and also for your involvement with your children’s play? #play #maketimeforplay #funforthefamily

Happy #Playday2024! Building a brighter culture of play for children and young people National play organisations call for focused action for play as Playday celebrated across the UK. As thousands of children and young people come together to celebrate play at local and regional events, the formation of a new UK government provides a timely opportunity to highlight the need for a renewed commitment to play at all levels across society. This year’s Playday theme focuses on play as the culture of childhood. Play is at the core of children’s lives and is vital for health, happiness, and creativity. Through play: - children develop a sense of, and value for culture - cultural exploration is encouraged, fostering an appreciation for diversity - children work together, negotiate, and build relationships - children feel connected to each other and their neighbourhoods - children create and pass on games, songs and stories. Despite robust evidence highlighting the multiple benefits of play, the UK Government has consistently overlooked the issue – urgent action is now required if we are to ensure children and young people are able to fully realise their right to play. This Playday, we invite families, playworkers, decision makers, and all those who work with children across the UK, to join together to foster a culture of play. Play is every child’s right. On Playday and every day, let’s unite to create a more playful future for our children and young people. https://lnkd.in/geQbiRXi 🤸♀️🛼🤹♂️🪁🛝

🌟 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

Lively Minds supports mothers and families of young children, so play is an important part of what we do. 1) We believe that play is for home and school. In fact, play is for anywhere, at any time. 2) Research tells us that play is one of the best ways for children to learn. They find play fun, engaging, collaborative and have lots of opportunities to practice and problem-solve. It builds resilience and creativity, and can support motivation too. 3) Play is for everyone! It might just look a little different depending on how old you are! But everyone enjoys having fun, collaborating with others in engaging and participatory activities. 4) You can play with resources, or without. You definitely do not need to buy resources - it is amazing what fun and games you can play with sticks and stones, buckets of water or old pots. Or simply with friends! Stay tuned as we have a game coming up next!

7th August - Playday 2024   🎈🌟 Happy Playday! Today, we celebrate the joy, creativity, and countless benefits that come from letting children play. Play isn't just fun—it's essential for their growth and development. Here’s why play is so important for kids: 🧠 Boosts Cognitive Development: Through play, children learn to solve problems, think critically, and develop their imagination. 🤝 Enhances Social Skills: Play teaches kids how to cooperate, share, negotiate, and resolve conflicts, building essential social skills. 🏃♀️ Promotes Physical Health: Active play keeps children moving, improving their physical health and motor skills. 😊 Supports Emotional Well-being: Play helps children express their emotions, build resilience, and develop empathy. 📚 Encourages Learning: Whether it’s through games, role-play, or outdoor adventures, play makes learning engaging and fun. Let’s make every day a playday! Encourage your kids to explore, imagine, and enjoy the wonderful world of play.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to present at the US Play Coalition annual conference in Bloomington Indiana. I spoke about the value of allowing children (people) to discover knowledge and that sometimes the role of the educator is to allow knowledge to be discovered that is sometimes irrelevant, nonsensical, and occasionally not even true. Essentially, children have a superpower – they are able to freely play. This means that they can use play to explore concepts without those pesky thoughts that tend to inhibit us as adults. Thoughts like “What if I look silly?” and “Is this even possible?” and “I don’t think a grombulosa really would be named Francis...”. Because kids are much better at play than we know how to be as adults, what is our role? We can support it through open-ended interactions. It was an in depth exploration of what we, as adults, might effectively call “nonsense”. We were a bit silly, we stretched our own abilities to play in impossible worlds, and we existed in a universe with no wrong answers. Attached is one of the tools that I use at the Kentucky Science Center to train our adult brains to build open-ended environments, and how they utilize the materials in any given space so that the environment itself supports free play. It's not easy, but I think that is why it is so important. By recognizing and supporting free play, we can foster “discoverers of knowledge” rather than merely recipients. I imagine that you have a lot of questions about the activity attached, and I'm happy to answer any that you send my way either through the comments or a direct message. It is a strong possibility that I will respond with more questions. I'm curious, if you are brave enough to take on this particular activity, what were your results? Where did that journey take you? What knowledge have you discovered throughout the process? What in the world is this crazy thing? Did you have fun? Let me know in the comments below. For those of you who need "correct answers", do not worry. In a week or so I'll make another post fully describing how I use this tool, what it means, and why it is the way that it is. In the meantime though, try to figure it out for yourself and become a Discoverer of Knowledge, instead of merely a Recipient.