17/07/2012
According to our National Play Policy Ready, Steady, Play "in Ireland, play has been seriously neglected at policy level. There is a shortage of safe public play spaces, no ring-fenced government funding for play, a poorly developed public awareness of the value of play and no national strategy for play. Play has been given greater priority in many other EU countries. Countries with well developed play policies and facilities share the following characteristics: national and local political commitment, a highly developed public play infrastructure, a play training framework and a child-friendly environment. In Ireland, several voluntary and community sector, children's and childcare organisations have championed the importance of play in child development over the last four decades".
should children's play be structured with a learning outcome?
No
Our National Play Policy states that play should be "pleasurable, enjoyable with no extrinsic goals. Its motivations are intrinsic and serve no other objectives. Play should be spontaneous and voluntary. The child should be actively engaged."
The countless benefits your child receives from stimulating play area's especially in the early years will stand to them through life. Remember these experiences are the foundations for all future learning.
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