Child Development
Play is an essential part of childhood and is critical to child development. It supports the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children. Play is especially important during the early years (0-8 years of age), because this is the period in life when the brain develops most rapidly and has a high capacity for change – laying the foundation for health and well-being throughout life. Indeed, play is so important to a child development that it is enshrined in Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child…
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Play-Based Learning
Many people assume that play is a frivolous activity but yet play-based learning is a hugely effective and sustainable approach to education. Play provides children with a rich context for learning through which they can make sense of their world. During play children try new things, solve problems, invent, create, test ideas, explore and discover. Play-based learning has been shown to improve a child’s IQ and help them develop a wide range of skills – such as problem solving, language development and social skills – that support academic achievement. Incorporating play in education, especially in environments where educational resources are limited, helps children consolidate and apply knowledge, rather than just absorb information.
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Trauma
Childhood should be a magical time. A time where children can feel safe to form secure attachments, explore their world and develop healthy foundations for the future. Yet for many children – especially those who experience displacement, conflict, war, bereavement, poverty, hunger, abuse, violence and exploitation or even witness the suffering of others – it can be a source of significant trauma. When a child experiences trauma, their brain literally changes its structure to enable the child to respond to any future threats.
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Impact Stats
Did you know that the provision of play-based initiatives can increase the average monthly earnings of an individual, over 20 years, by 42%? Or that for every $ invested in play based interventions for pre-school children born in poverty that there is an 8x rate of return? Play is serious business!
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