Why do educators need a pedagogy of play? What does playful learning look and feel like in classrooms and schools? How do educators set up the conditions where playful learning thrives? These are the questions the newly released book, “A Pedagogy of Play: Supporting Playful Learning in Classrooms and Schools” written by researchers at the...
Ahead of World Children’s Day on November 20, we asked the question “how has play shaped you?” to nine people from the NGO, EU policy and toy industry world. Their answers were insightful and immensely cheering! Check out our Twitter feed and LinkedIn to see what they said. Play is not a luxury. Like food...
Children who learn to play well with others at pre-school age tend to enjoy better mental health as they get older, new research shows. The findings provide the first clear evidence that ‘peer play ability’, the capacity to play successfully with other children, has a protective effect on mental health Researchers at the University of...
Dr. Amanda Gummer, Founder & CEO of FUNdamentally Children and Dr Gummers Good Play Guide. Amanda has a PhD in Neuropsychology, the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and over 20 years’ experience working with children and families. Home of the Good Toy Guide, Good App Guide, Good Learning Guide and Good Baby Guide, Dr Gummer’s...
As an official partner of the European Commission’s European Week of Sport, Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) put play in the spotlight with a round table discussion to talk about play’s role in setting children up to #beactive for life. In the face of the EU’s worsening inactivity crisis, it is vital to get EU citizens...
The fifth European Week of Sport will run from the 23 – 30 September and encourages people from across Europe to be more active. The initiative, run by the European Commission, promotes the importance of physical activity to people’s wellbeing. We are delighted that the Commission has – besides sport – recognised play as a...
Despite the recognised benefits of children’s play, it is increasingly under threat – a worrying fact that the United Nations highlighted in early 2013. With this in mind, MEP Anna Maria Corazza Bildt hosted an event in the European Parliament in Brussels on 28 May, ‘Taking play seriously: investing in Europe’s future’, to focus on the importance of play for children’s well-being, development and education.
Robyn Monro Miller, President of the International Play Association 2018 marks the 5th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations General Comment 17 on the right of the child to play. Today is World Play Day: it’s time to reflect on just how far we have gone in those five years. “Adults in many...
