14 March 2007
Free Play in Early Childhood, a new publication launched today at the Play In early childhood provision conference, highlights concerns over recent policies that structure young children's lives in pursuit of targets and testing.
Free Play in Early Childhood, a major comprehensive literature review focusing on free play and the early years, draws on existing research and investigates the importance of giving young children the time, space and resources to play in their own way, without the influence of adults structuring their time and activities.
The new publication draws on a range of views, including observational and research-based studies, as well as the work of pioneers and well-respected writers in the field. As a result, it provides insights from different professional perspectives, types of early years provision and theoretical standpoints, and highlights the importance of ensuring that all children have environments and opportunities for free play in their early childhood. Topics covered in the review include, historical and modern perspectives on play, play and brain development, play and learning, and the role of adults in play.
Issy Cole-Hamilton, Play England's Policy and Research Manager who commissioned the review, said: 'The government is currently reorganising the provision for young children and we are very concerned that an over-emphasis on structured activities will have long-term, harmful effects. This review clearly shows how vital it is for young children to be allowed to play, uninterrupted by adults, in their own way, as part of their daily lives. We hope the Department of Education will take note of this when rolling out the new Early Years Foundation Stage.'
Play Free Play in Early Childhood was commissioned by Play England, part of the National Children’s Bureau, supported by the Big Lottery Fund.
1. Free Play in Early Childhood is available to buy for £15 (£12 for NCB members) order now by calling Central Books on 0845 4589910 or by emailing ncb@centralbooks.com
2. As part of our programme for supporting the development of local play strategies, Play England will be holding a series of free regional seminars around the country. For more information visit www.playengland.org.uk/events
3. Play England is a five-year project to promote strategies for free play and to create a lasting support structure for play providers in England. Its aim is for all children and young people in England to have regular access and opportunity for free, inclusive, local play provision and play space. Play England is a project of the Children’s Play Council, part of the National Children’s Bureau, and is supported by the Big Lottery Fund. For further information visit www.playengland.org.uk
4. The Children’s Play Council is a strategic alliance of organisations working to promote the importance of play and to stimulate better play opportunities. The Council is part of the National Children’s Bureau. For further information on the Children’s Play Council and its work contact Mena Wright on 020 7843 6016.
5. The National Children’s Bureau promotes the voices, interests and well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. As an umbrella body for the children’s sector in England and Northern Ireland, we provide essential information on policy, research and best practice for our members and other partners. For further information visit www.ncb.org.uk
6. The Big Lottery Fund’s Children’s Play initiative is a £155 million programme. As part of this, BIG has awarded a grant of £15 million to the Children’s Play Council to deliver the Play England project. The project offers support and advice to local authorities and agencies to help them develop play strategies and access grants from BIG’s £124 million Children's Play programme. BIG has also made an additional £16 million available for Playful Ideas, an initiative that will fund novel play projects which focus on innovation and new ways of providing children’s play.
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours: 07867 500 572
Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030
Textphone: 08456 021 659
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund projects and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
For more information on this release, please contact Clare Quarrell or Anna Tombs in NCB’s media office on 020 7843 6044/6045 or email media@ncb.org.uk
Play England is part of NCB and is supported by the Big Lottery Fund.
'The child's right to play is the citizen's first claim on the community.'
David Lloyd George, 1925