Play time is important for kids [Independent.ie]
- Published: 17 May 2011
Making time for children to play freely is vital, say play experts and TV presenter Jeff Brazier, who want parents to make play a priority for their kids
Play is a vital part of a child's learning and development - yet while most parents make sure their children go to school to learn and develop, few prioritise play in the same way.
These days, almost a third of UK parents don't let their children play enough because of safety worries, and also because they don't recognise that a lack of play can have serious effects on a child's long-term development.
A new survey by the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) and Play England has found that 66pc of parents would like more time to spend playing with their children, citing work, a busy schedule and feeling too tired as the three main reasons that prevent them from playing.
It's a trend which the BTHA and Play England wants to stop, and they've launched a new campaign, Make Time to Play, to try to encourage parents to prioritise play.
The campaign is supported by TV presenter and Dancing On Ice star Jeff Brazier, a single dad to two young sons whose mother was the late reality TV star Jade Goody.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
