Today, we are celebrating National Playday – a day that recognises and celebrates the crucial role of play in child health and development.
The Origins and importance of Playday
Playday dates back to 1986 when a group of playworkers, concerned about potential cuts to school-based play centres and adventure playgrounds in London, decided to take action. What started as a local campaign has since evolved into a nationwide celebration, with hundreds of events occurring across the UK each year. Play is not just about fun and games; it’s a vital part of childhood that contributes significantly to a child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. It plays an even bigger role in the lives of children with disabilities.
Early Years Music Workshop with The Amber Trust
Last week we collaborated with The Amber Trust to host a music workshop at our Life Without Limits Centre (LWLC) for children aged 0-7 with a vision impairment. Our Centre was filled with the rich sounds of excited children and parents singing and moving along to call-and-response songs and inclusive and creative music games.
The Amber Trust is the only national charity dedicated to supporting blind and partially sighted children with their musical development and education, so it was wonderful to host another collaboration with them. The session was led by Caterina, an Amber Music Practitioner and Music Therapist who’s experienced in working with children in the early years, children with vision impairments, Autism, Severe and Profound and Multiple Learning needs, children with neurodegenerative diseases, children in Social Emotional and Mental Health schools, and adults in neurorehabilitation.
Parent Feedback
When asked about their experience of the workshop, here are some of the parents’ replies:
“My son loved the music and I’m left with some inspiration for things we can do at home.”
“Thank you so much for organising this event! It was absolutely lovely to meet everyone!”
“This was one of the loveliest early years things we’ve done. Thanks so much to everyone who organised it!”
“So nice to have an event like this in person. Hope to have another one soon.”
Learning Through Play
Through play, children learn essential life skills, develop creativity, improve problem-solving abilities, and build social relationships. It’s a natural way for children to explore their world, test boundaries, and understand their place within their community.
The need for more play services
With government cuts to play services becoming increasingly common, Playday serves as a platform to advocate for the protection and expansion of play spaces and services. Research has consistently shown that access to play opportunities is crucial for children’s physical health, helping to combat issues like obesity and promoting active lifestyles. Play is also essential for mental health, providing children with outlets for stress relief and emotional expression.
The Broader Impact of Play
As well as having fun, play is about fostering healthy development, building resilience, and nurturing the skills that children will carry with them into adulthood.
Development of Motor Skills
Play therapy can enhance fine and gross motor skills in children who are blind or have a vision impairment. Activities that involve physical movement help improve coordination, balance, and overall physical fitness, which are crucial for their development.
Brain Development
When children take part in play activities it stimulates the senses and can improve brain functions, including problem-solving, spatial awareness, and memory. Play activities, especially involving games and puzzles, can significantly boost thinking and reasoning skills in vision-impaired children.
Social Interaction
Play provides opportunities for children to build new relationships and make friends with others their age, teachers and parents. Through competitive and cooperative play, children learn essential social skills such as communication, sharing, and teamwork.
Emotional Well-being
Play is also a therapeutic activity that can improve emotional health by providing a safe space for children to express themselves and explore their feelings. It can help reduce feelings of isolation and anxiety and promote a sense of independence and self-esteem.
Sensory Exploration
For blind and partially sighted children, play is a vital way to explore and understand the world. Sensory toys and activities can stimulate other senses, such as touch and hearing, aiding in sensory development and environmental adaptation.
Creativity and Imagination
Play encourages creativity and imagination, allowing children to create, explore, and experiment in a safe environment. This fosters innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities, which are beneficial in all areas of life.
Improved Functional Vision
Certain types of play, especially those involving visual stimulation can enhance functional vision and spatial attention abilities, even in children with low vision.
More play and creative activities coming up at RSBC
Check out our calendar of activities: https://www.rsbc.org.uk/calendar-of-activities/