Why play | He aha Te Tākaro
Why is positive play important?
Positive play improves emotional, social, cognitive and physical adeptness and assists children to grow the confidence and relationship building skills they need to navigate life.
Children's rights
United nations convention
Children are empowered by specific sections within the Geneva Convention which promote their right to participate in recreational activities, play, the arts and in the cultural life of the community. At Play Aoteraroa we uphold and extend these rights in ways that open up concrete opportunities for Kiwi kids to play the way they want to.
Article 31
The child’s right to play.
Children are empowered by specific sections within the Geneva Convention. Within the convention, children are protected in regard to development, education and standards of living. They are to be taken care of in ways that allow them to function in physically, mentally, spiritually, morally and socially responsible ways as they grow.
In Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, it is clearly stated that children have the right right to participate in the cultural life of the community, arts, play and recreational activities. At Play Aotearoa, we extend and uphold these rights in ways that open up opportunities for Kiwi kids to play in the ways that they choose.
How to play
Three types of play
Combing three types of play garners the best results for children in terms of their development across the social, emotional, physical and cognitive spheres.
Structured play
Structured play is when play is planned by an adult. It is often used by parents, guardians/caregivers and educators when they want to tailor play to a specific learning goal. For example – playing a game with specific instructions to follow. This type of play would be guided by an adult, and would be structured around the developmental stage of the child.
Semi-structured play
Semi-structured play, is a blend between structured and free play. This type of play aims to accomplish specific learning goals. This play is often seen when an adult will initiate the activity and then the children will lead the rest of the play process.
Free play
This is when children are allowed to choose how they want to play. Play is unplanned and the children have freedom of choice. This type of play is completely unstructured. Children will use their own experiences and skills to take charge of their play time. Free play promotes a child’s independence and creativity. Adults may be involved, and even enrich the free play session by offering support and guidance, but they should be careful not to take over. The adult involved may just want to listen to the children, answer questions and offer suggestions.
Play spaces
Areas to play
Part of facilitating play is providing safe spaces with appropriate facilities. In order to play across the three types of play, children need playgrounds, fields, indoor spaces, equipment and guidance. Spaces for play should be set up to encourage freedom of movement and to remove constraints around messy play and noisy play.
The importance of play
Positive play promotes growth
When children have the time, space, equipment and guidance they need to play their way, they are happier. Happy children have a better chance to grow cognitively, emotionally and physically, and they find it easier to form positive social relationships.
Play talk
National Grandparents Week Kōrero
By Moana Wereta and Jessica Worchel In acknowledgement of Grandparent’s week (27 October to 1 November 2022), Play Aotearoa would like to share pūrākau (story) and whakataukī (proverbs) that demonstrate the powerful connection between mokopuna (grandchildren) and tūpuna as it relates to te ao Māori (Māori worldview) (1).
Kua Timata te Kōanga – A Story of Whitebait
Jj woke from the loudness of the day. The manu (birds) were singing their waiata (songs), and the rays of Tama-nui-te-rā were shining bright through the window.
Haere Mai Kōanga!
As Tama-nui-te-Rā (personification of the sun) moves away from the whare (house) of Hine Takurua (personification of winter) and closer to Hine Raumati (personification of summer), we move into kōanga (spring).
Te Karanga a Kui (Kui’s Call)
The two kunekune pigs, Pedro and Piggles, were stranded. Their whare (home) was slowly being surrounded by a lake that was emerging with the weeks of heavy rain that had been battering Aotearoa.
Become a member
We are the national voice for play in Aotearoa. We empower our members to champion a child’s right to play, deliver quality play experiences, and share knowledge and information about play nationwide. By joining us, you strengthen your network, gain access to discounts, and enhance your understanding of the significance of play in the lives of our whanau.
