Lethbridge committed to play
Have you ever been watching young children climb a tree or building a fort and thought, “Those kids need to stop fooling around and start doing something!”
Well, those kids are doing something! Playing! Science shows the best way to positive brain development in the early years is through child-led play. Play is the primary way children explore their world and learn about themselves. Through unstructured play, children exercise choice and control over their actions, they test boundaries, explore risk and learn to respect others. These are important skills needed for their future.
Sometimes there is a perception that play is somehow not important, or that it only happens after “real work” is done. However, over and over, research shows that play is essential for children’s healthy physical, social and emotional development. Children who lack sufficient unstructured play opportunities typically have a lower ability to cope with stress, possess poorer social skills and have difficulty assessing and managing risk. Kids need to play!
Think back to your unstructured play time as a child. How did you play? What did you play with and where? What did you create? Who made the rules? Did you have fun?
Early Development Instrument data show that by the age of six, approximately one in four children in Lethbridge are identified as “at risk” for life-long emotional, physical and social struggles. The most significant challenge our children face is emotional maturity. Research attributes poor scores in this area to excessive screen time, lack of unstructured play and limited opportunities for developing meaningful connections with family, friends and the outdoors. This is not great news for our community, but we can help by allowing our children to play — a lot.
Recognizing that play is an integral part of healthy human development, over 25 Lethbridge organizations partnered to develop a Play Charter for the City of Lethbridge. A Play Charter is a unifying document outlining why we believe play is important and how, in working together, we can create a community that supports and encourages comprehensive play opportunities for all Lethbridge children. Play Charters are a world-wide movement. Countries internationally as well as Canadian cities, such as Calgary, have adopted Play Charters that influence city planning, policy and decision making. The premise of a Play Charter is built on the United Nations Article 31, “Children’s Right to Play.”
To bring awareness to children’s rights, such as the right to play, Lethbridge Early Years Coalition is hosting a National Child Day Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lethbridge College.
Mayor Spearman will be signing the Lethbridge Play Charter at this event as a show of the City of Lethbridge’s commitment to support play in our community. The celebration will also include multicultural dancing, community agency information tables, games, prizes, indoor and outdoor activities, a light meal and more.
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