A Chance To Play aiming to create an environment where young minds and bodies can be free
World Play Day to be celebrated on May 28 and parents are encouraged to help children relive childhood games
A Chance to Play is a non-profit organisation (NPO) focusing on giving children the freedom to develop their social and cognitive skills.
Cynthia Morrison is the NPO’s director and her mission is to guide society toward a place where children are free to use their environment to shape their minds. She stresses that children need uncontrolled free play as a way to challenge themselves and test their own capabilities without the strict confines of rules and limiting structures of organised sport.
Spaces for children to play in a safe, expansive and free-form environment have been increasingly limited in recent years. Many may remember a time of unsupervised play but few parents would now leave their children unattended in the street or park. Cynthia is calling on communities and government entities to collaborate in creating an environment for children to thrive and grow into productive adults.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2021/04/23/why-outdoor-play-is-vital-for-your-toddlers-development/
Cynthia noted how every stage of childhood developments require unique settings to get the best age-specific results. Among other things, she envisions public parks that allow group games, challenging activities for tweens and teens, greater access to nature where trees and rocks can be climbed, and spaces for teenagers to socialise.
“Spending time with friends becomes a very important form of recreation for them,” stated Cynthia.
World Play Day will be celebrated on May 28 and A Chance to Play wishes to use the occasion to encourage a return to free-play.
“It is celebrated in over 40 countries around the world and it would be great if parents could make a point of planning for some type of play on that day. One idea is to play a game with your children that you remember from your childhood,” said Cynthia, evoking memories of piggy in the middle; running red rover; hopscoth and jump rope.
To assist parents, Cynthia advised, “We advocate for play forums where parents in a neighbourhood look at the available play spaces and decide what other opportunities could be created.
“For example, there is street play where the community agrees on closing a street or streets for a few hours and children are free to play. There is also a Play Watch which involves setting up a roster system where parents take turns to provide some security for children at play without interfering in any way.”
Send photos and a brief comment to info@a-chance-to-play.org.za or WhatsApp your photo with comment to 063 652 5016 for inclusion in A Chance to Play’s World Play Day newsletter which will be posted on their website www.a-chance-to-play.org.za.
