Here is a summary of the latest play related articles and blogs to be published online.
Adventurous Play as an Antidote to Anxiety: An Opportunity for Children to Learn About Uncertainty, Fear, Arousal, and Coping
Outdoor Play Canada (Helen Dodd)
This article discusses the importance of giving children opportunities to play in an adventurous way, such as climbing trees, riding bikes and jumping from rocks. It explores the range of emotions children experience when they engage in this type of play, including fear and excitement. The article explains that allowing children to take part in play that is adventurous may help prevent the development of anxiety.
Why play is the key to children’s exercise
Playing Out (Alice Ferguson)
This article explores why play should be considered as exercise in England’s lockdown regulations. It provides information about the importance of play for children’s physical health, including evidence that shows free outdoor play significantly increases children’s physical activity levels. The article also discusses using street play as part of the Covid recovery plan for children and communities.
Have lockdowns affected my child’s physical and mental health?
BBC (Paul Kerley)
In this article, experts provide advice and support to parents and carers with children under the age of five. It explores ways to learn through play to help children’s development, such as adapting folding laundry into a game. The article also discusses the importance of outdoor play for children, as well as reminding parents and carers that parks and playgrounds are open during lockdown.
Paediatricians call for Covid rules to ease so children can play
The Guardian (Harriet Grant)
Playing out alone – tips from the 80s
Playing Out (Ingrid Skeels)
Behind closed bedroom doors, a teenage mental health crisis is brewing
The Guardian (Gaby Hinsliff)
‘They are scared to try new things’: how is home school impacting young children?
The Guardian (Donna Ferguson)
Ask the Expert: Does it matter that I don’t have time to play with my kids now?
The Irish News
Growing concern for well-being of children and young people amid soaring screen time
UNICEF (Henrietta Fore)
How the pandemic is changing children’s friendships
National Geographic (Vicky Hallett)
Call for ‘summer of play’ to help English pupils recover from Covid-19 stress
The Guardian (Sally Weale)
Lockdown: Government says children can go to the park to play
BBC Newsround
#PlayMustStay – invest in public play spaces or children face ‘perpetual lockdown’
Child in the City (Simon Weedy)
Re-imagining Baltimore as a ‘city for children’
Child in the City (Davin Hong)