2006: PLAY NATURALLY
In 2006, communities gathered together at hundreds
of Playday events around the country under the theme Play,
naturally.
Lots of fun was had celebrating children’s natural playfulness
and acknowledging the variety and stimulation which natural spaces
and elements offer for play. The theme also highlighted that
opportunities for children to play in natural spaces are in serious
decline.
Loss of natural play space
The campaign highlighted the issue that children’s access to
natural play spaces is seriously compromised, with a negative
effect on their physical, mental and emotional health.
To compensate for the loss of natural play space, local
authorities need to find ways of protecting and developing open and
green space to allow children more everyday contact with
nature.
This can be achieved through a range of options including
designated nature sites, public green spaces, ‘waste ground’,
school grounds and naturalistic playgrounds, as well as raising the
profile of playwork in natural settings.
Play England published Play,
Naturally: A review of children’s natural play. The report, by
Stuart Lester and Martin Maudsley of Playwork Partnerships, looks
at the benefits of play on children’s health and well-being, and
outlines what we should be doing to compensate for the loss of
natural play space in recent years.
Children prefer natural play
Our Playday 2006 survey indicated that children want to play out
more, and would rather play outside in natural environments than
inside with computer games.
Eighty percent of children in the UK prefer playing outside to
playing indoors – but not all of them get the chance. Nearly three
in four children (72%) would like to play out more often.
The survey also found that 86% of children prefer outdoor
activities, including playing out with their friends, building dens
and getting muddy, to playing computer games.
BBC Newsround conducted an
on-line poll, asking whether there are enough places to play –
almost three-quarters of voters said there are not.
‘What children are telling us is that they want more
opportunities to play out, in stimulating natural spaces where they
can have fun, be with their friends and use their imagination,’
said Adrian Voce, director of the Play England. ‘It is vital for
both national and local governments to take this message on board
if they are to meet the play needs of today’s children and young
people.
A taste of Playday 2006
Bristol
Thousands of children from Bristol
celebrated Playday with a variety of activities that reflected the
Play, naturally theme, including tree climbing, green den
building, hay bale play, mud painting and a giant water slide.
The event also celebrated Bristol’s diverse music and dance
culture with two events, Urban Idol and Dance Idol, showcasing
young performers. 'Tiger T's performance was completely
outstanding! I've never seen a rapper perform like that before',
reported The Playday News, Bristol Playday’s own publication.
Shaniqua, aged 10, reported: 'I loved the water slide and the
mud painting. On the water slide I got soaking wet and I hit my
bottom when I slipped.’
East London
Victoria Park in East London hosted one of the largest Playday
celebrations in the capital. Organised by Hackney Play Association
and Play Association Tower Hamlets, the event, attended by over
7,000 children and young people, saw Victoria Park transformed into
play activity zones. The fun included an urban eco-camp with
teepees, den building, rural arts and crafts, and workshops making
toys from recycled waste and locally sourced wood.