Hooray, it’s Playday 2022 (3 August). Coordinated in Scotland by our friends at Play Scotland, this year the theme is All to play for – building play opportunities for all children.
Regarding this theme, the Playday 2022 website states: “This year’s theme aims to highlight that play is for everyone. Play happens everywhere, every day, and is the right of every child and young person. Playday encourages families, communities, and organisations large and small, to consider how they can build better opportunities for all children to play. Following the challenges children and young people have faced over the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, play is more important than ever.”
Not only that, but this year also sees the creation of the #SummerOfPlay campaign. #SummerOfPlay aims to give children the space, time, and freedom to play this summer. The organisers are calling on everyone to sign the pledge to show your support for children’s play this summer. We’ve signed the pledge, and so should you!
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 2022 and the #SummerOfPlay and believe it is essential that children and young people enjoy fun, friends and freedom.”
During Playday 2022 and #SummerOfPlay, 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.
You can also check out our 2022 Children’s Health Activity Book for a whole week’s worth of fun and play ideas.
