Kids need dolls, not digital devices

What’s the point of play? Is it simply a way to keep children occupied, or something more? For some, it’s about learning literacy and numeracy. For others, it’s how friendships form and relationships deepen. But it can be all of these at once, and more.

Let the children play

Children who demonstrate pretend play ability as toddlers have significantly fewer emotional and behavioural difficulties at primary school, according to a new interdisciplinary University of Sydney study.

Play away

We don’t stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.

Playaway

Children learn about the world through play, helping them to build creativity and independence, but once children start school, it tends to be forgotten as the emphasis shifts to formal learning.

Rough and tumble

Children – like the young of most mammals – like to play fight sometimes and rather than worrying, parents should let them enjoy it.

Play with your kids

Running a home and family, doing job and trying to squeeze in some personal time mean some parents don’t have a lot of time or energy to play magical princess dragons but playing with your kids is important for the whole family.

Let the children play

Climbing trees, making mud pies, or simply playing outside, parents and educators know that being in nature is an important part of every childhood. But when it comes to messy or risky play, it’s a whole different story according to new research from the University of South Australia.

Let the children play

Children today spend much less time playing than their parents did, a decline exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. It’s time to recognise the individual and social benefits of play to our children’s development and happiness.

Mud, glorious mud

A new review of the importance of nature play could transform children’s play spaces, supporting investment in city and urban parks, while also delivering important opportunities for children’s physical, social and emotional development.

Let them play!

Children need to play and discover the world for themselves without too much restriction. Here are some ways we can enhance children’s opportunities to do this.