Play forms a vital and invaluable part of a person’s childhood. It promotes health, both mental and physical, and aids development across a range of important social and emotional factors. Imagine a childhood without play. Would we be as adept at social interaction as we are today? Would we learn how to compete fairly, to understand values such as respect and patience? Perhaps not. It seems hard to imagine a world in which these traits were “taught" in a classroom setting alone. When all’s said and done, a life without play poses a very different (maybe even a little scary) vision indeed. Here’s why…

Children and Play

A recent report for the Children’s Play Policy Forum found that not only did playing boost children’s problem solving, risk management and language development, but that it could enhance academic skills too. Physical activity, interaction with others, competing and, of course, having fun, all make for a healthy body and a healthy mind. A child is surely more productive academically when feeling energised and happy, than when feeling lethargic and unmotivated. The study, named aptly, ‘The Play Return’, says yes. And this only but touches upon the reels of life-changing, sociological effects of play that the report evidences.

The Play Return shows that public spaces with particular  youth facilities have actually experienced a reduction in levels of anti-social behaviour and vandalism since taking them on. It makes sense, of course, that children who use their energy for playing are less likely to be led towards other, more precarious ways of passing the time. They are happier, they are not suffering from boredom or frustration and they are occupied. The report also found that families and communities benefitted from play initiatives, and were keen to take action to improve them.

Of course it’s not just public spaces that can be transformed for the better. Schools across the UK are jumping on board with this kind of thinking, using government funds to facilitate play with bright new playground features.

"There is good evidence that making changes to school playgrounds leads to an increase in children’s levels of physical activity … Various forms of intervention have been shown to give this outcome, including changes to [playground] marking, the addition of play equipment, making available games equipment (such as balls and bats) and the introduction of loose materials such as scrap and recycled office equipment." - The Play Return

In a time where many are afraid of letting their children use the outdoors - over a quarter of 1000 parents asked admitted to fearing the judgement of neighbours if they let their children play outside alone - it’s important to recognise the value in letting children get their fair share. It’s imperative that we keep facilities alive, whether in a school playground or a public park, and it’s essential that we give children the time and space they need to have fun.

Imagine...

Imagine a future of adults that had been deprived of playtime in their early lives. Would we be looking at some sort of dystopian future in which no one is capable of basic human interaction? An age of anarchy and insecurity? Here’s hoping we never find out.