'Let us play and we'll learn better', say kids in new research

3 September 2009

As summer holidays come to an end this week, Play England is calling on schools to protect play-time and make more time for children to play during the school day.

New research from Play England finds that time to play at school is seen by both children and their parents as very important if they are to get the most out of education. 90% of parents and 79% of children agree that having time to play at school helps children to concentrate in lessons.

The report also found that 88% of parents and 80% of children think that children are better behaved in lessons if they are allowed to play at break time, and this figure rises to 99% for parents of 5-6 year olds. 94% of parents assert that it is important to allocate time for play during school hours.

73% of children interviewed by ICM, for Play England, say that school is the main chance they have to play with their friends. 55% of children report that they sometimes rush their lunch at school so they have time to play and 84% of parents say they are against school break times being shortened.

Adrian Voce, Director of Play England, said: ‘The opportunity for children to play at school is all too easily regarded as a luxury. But children, as well as their parents, are telling us how crucial it is. We know that playing is an essential part of enjoying childhood and that it contributes hugely to children’s informal learning and development. Families are now telling us that it is important in helping children to get the most from their formal learning too’.

Play England, part of NCB, convenes the Play in Schools group which aims to improve play provision within schools, childcare, extended services and in children’s centres. The group consists of national and regional agencies and local authority representatives who all have an interest in improving play provision in those settings. Play England’s recommendations for play provision in schools are published in ‘Play in schools and integrated settings: A position statement’.

Play England has also produced a short film that explores how high-quality play facilities in primary schools can help to improve children's academic performance and enjoyment of school.

Notes for editors:

1. ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1,037 adults aged 18 + by telephone between 24 – 25 June 2009, for Playday 2009. Interviews were conducted across the UK and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. They also interviewed a random sample of 1,030 children and young people aged 7 – 14 across the UK by telephone between 19 June – 30 July 2009. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk or http://www.playday.org.uk/

2. Playday is the annual celebration of children’s right to play. The campaign is coordinated by Play England, based at NCB (www.ncb.org.uk), working in partnership with PlayBoard Northern Ireland, Play Scotland and Play Wales. For information on local Playday events visit the Playday website at www.playday.org.uk

3. Play England promotes excellent free play opportunities for all children and young people. Play England provides advice and support to promote good practice, and works to ensure that the importance of play is recognised by policy makers, planners and the public. Play England is part of NCB and is funded by the Big Lottery Fund. For further information visit www.playengland.org.uk

4. NCB’s mission is to advance the well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. As a membership and infrastructure support agency for the children’s sector in England and Northern Ireland, NCB provides essential information on policy, research and best practice for our members and the members of our wide range of partnership bodies which operate under our charitable status and are based in our London headquarters. For further information visit www.ncb.org.uk

5. The Big Lottery Fund’s Children’s Play initiative is a £155 million programme. This includes a grant of £15 million to NCB to deliver the Play England project, to provide support and advice to local authorities and agencies to help them develop and deliver play strategies and access grants from BIG’s Children's Play programme. Full details of the Big Lottery Fund projects and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk