Let Grow Play Club itself is very simple: Just let kids onto the playground or into the gym before or after school and let them play! Play Club involves unstructured play, kids of all ages playing together and adults stepping back.
Why this Matters
Many of today’s children spend their out-of-school time in adult-directed activities—from soccer to dance class to drama to tutoring. Even children who do have free time, like after school, are often glued to screens because parents are afraid to allow them outside. At the same time,
the pressure of high-stakes testing has resulted in more seat time and dwindling recess during the school day. Is it any wonder that behaviour problems are increasing and more children than ever are suffering from anxiety and depression?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “ The benefits of play cannot really be overstated in terms of mitigating stress, improving academic skills and helping to build the safe, stable and nurturing relationships that buffer against toxic stress and build social-emotional resilience.”
An easy, almost no-cost solution for schools, rec centers, and other organizations is to host a Let Grow Play Club, where kids of all ages can enjoy unstructured free play outside of regular school hours.
Let Grow Play Club itself is very simple: Just let kids onto the playground or into the gym before or after school and let them play! Play Club involves unstructured play, kids of all ages playing together and adults stepping back.
Why this Matters
Many of today’s children spend their out-of-school time in adult-directed activities—from soccer to dance class to drama to tutoring. Even children who do have free time, like after school, are often glued to screens because parents are afraid to allow them outside. At the same time,
the pressure of high-stakes testing has resulted in more seat time and dwindling recess during the school day. Is it any wonder that behaviour problems are increasing and more children than ever are suffering from anxiety and depression?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “ The benefits of play cannot really be overstated in terms of mitigating stress, improving academic skills and helping to build the safe, stable and nurturing relationships that buffer against toxic stress and build social-emotional resilience.”
An easy, almost no-cost solution for schools, rec centers, and other organizations is to host a Let Grow Play Club, where kids of all ages can enjoy unstructured free play outside of regular school hours.
The project created a space for children of migrants and host Irish community to come together and play safely together while engaging in community indegration and experience of free play without patrents involvement
I’m leading this project and we at Hands 4 Unity are very excited that we have chosen a pre school in Clogherhead, Drogheda Co. Louth for this free play initiative. We are very excited about this because we know between family routines and structured activities, children should be given the time and space to enjoy unstructured play. More updates to follow 👏
The Group had a meeting in person today and has also planned a virtual meeting for tomorrow as a follow up on plans. Jasmine, a member of the Group is the lead person on this project. The proposal is to bring the children together in a safe space and engage them in some act work. The seed money will be spent on the art materials and some snacks and drinks for the children.
The project will create a safe space for children of migrant and host Irish community children to come together and play safely together. The children and their parents will be invited to experience this unique integration interaction through Grow play CLUB Project.
It will enhance safe and better community experience for all participants,