Happy Play Day in the Illawarra
By Michelle Barry of Healthy Cities Australia
On 10 June, the eve of today's United Nations International Day of Play, mayors, government workers, people from playgroups, bush schools, early childhood, education and the private sector all came together to collectively support and advocate for the theme, "Protect Play: Protect Childhood".
One in three Australian children are not getting enough play, and there is no national policy or framework to protect children’s biological need for play nor is their right to play enshrined in national law.
As Robyn Monro Miller, CEO of Play Australia, passionately stated while presenting her report, Weaving Play into the National Fabric: “We must get the health and wellbeing of our children protected, it’s not just about now, they are our future adults, professionals, and leaders of our country.”
The event speakers spanned a range of disciplines and provided thought-provoking insights into the main facets of play – including play preferences, digital play, Indigenous culture in play, nature play, designing cities for play, and international perspectives on policy frameworks for play. Young people also spoke, providing inspiration and respect for young people’s play.
The Illawarra is proactive in providing play opportunities for children, with more than 270 playgrounds, 18 libraries, 32 playgroups a week, plus numerous free community events.
The second annual Connecting Communities Through Play event hosted by Healthy Cities Australia, the forum was held at Southern Youth and Families Auditorium in Warilla.
Having people show up in the room, including our mayors from Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama, shows a strong passion for our children’s health. We need this right supported and protected through play strategies and consistent funding for children’s play in our communities.
The adults also got permission to experience the joy of play, with a 31-minute play break featuring Junk Yard Rascals and Moduplay!
A full house ahead of the United Nations International Day of Play on 11 June
Whilst the event was playful, there was also a strong advocacy message and we extend that message to all:
- Share a post to celebrate and advocate for play on 11 June or, any day;
- Take some chalk and draw a hopscotch, giving children permission and an invitation to play in our streets, neighbourhoods and communities!
Play Illawarra has an incredible resource – a digital directory – that lists all local playgrounds, free community events and blogs supporting children’s play, including a fortnightly newsletter highlighting new events and services!
It's free for organisations to list their free events, making it a one-stop place for families to find activities for their children.
