Yay, it’s Playday 2021 (4 August 2021). Coordinated in Scotland by our friends at Play Scotland, this year the theme is #SummerOfPlay with a strong focus on mental and physical wellbeing, the challenges that children and young people have faced over lockdowns, and how play can help face these stresses.
Commenting on Playday 2021, Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland said: “At Children’s Health Scotland, we recognise the importance of play which is serious business when it comes to children’s health. It’s so much more than just the chance to have fun and can help children physically, mentally, and emotionally. We run workshops dedicated to health-related play and how play can be used to help children understand the world around them and process their feelings towards health-related treatments. Play also forms part of the EACH charter, the UNCRC and features heavily in our Manifesto. We wholeheartedly support Playday and believe it is essential that children and young people enjoy fun, friends and freedom.”
To celebrate Playday, young people and communities across the UK have organised events such as street parties, park festivals, and adventures in woodlands. These events are not just opportunities to have fun, they are also essential for campaigning to ensure that children’s right to play is protected. You can find out more about Playday 2021 #SummerOfPlay at www.summerofplay.co.uk.
During Playday 2021 it is worth remembering that play has many benefits for children and young people. Playing:
- Is essential for children’s mental health and wellbeing.
- Helps children cope with stress and anxiety and fosters resilience, enabling children to better deal with challenges.
- Gives children the opportunity to have fun, laugh, take time out, relax, and build friendships.
- Outside allows children to appreciate nature, the environment, and feel part of their community.
- Is fundamental to children’s happiness, and happy children lead to happier communities.
At Children’s Health Scotland, we have resources available in many languages and suitable for children and young people. Our health and wellbeing resources can be found here. We also run Health-related Play Workshops using our Hospital Play Boxes. For more information on Health-related Play Boxes and/or to book a workshop (subject to availability) visit https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/resource/hospital-playboxes/ or telephone 01315536553.
