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"Let's make the world play more!" That's the slogan of the IKEA initiated Playreport. This global research project addresses children, family and play. It conducted over 11,000 interviews in 25 countries and the Playreport found that 9 out of 10 kids would rather play with their parents and friends than watch TV or use the Internet.
I love the sound of children playing. That may be one of the reasons to became a teacher. For kids, movement and being social are such natural urges. Children learn about their world through play, and as they grow their play becomes more intricate and sophisticated. I've gotten to know hundreds of kids and I know what they like. Kids love to play!
Why is IKEA sponsoring this project?
"For us, children are the most important people in the world, and the home is the most important playground. Play is a fundamental aspect of their development. Through this global research, we've gathered new insights about how play is perceived by children and parents all over the world? Part of the product development process includes collaboration with the world's leading children's experts, speaking to parents and studying children and their everyday life at home. All this knowledge goes towards designing products that are functional and safe while supporting children at every stage of their development."
1. Play is good for children.
2. It is the way they work out what is happening in their world, and how they learn to explore and find out about new things.
3. Playing is great fun, and is a place where imagination and creativity can flourish, and emotions and feelings can be acted out.
4. For young children, play is often a means of mastering a new skill, perhaps learning to balance, to walk or run, to open things.
5. Play also gives a child a means to work out relationships with peers and with friends.
6. It is argued that children actively seek play opportunities and play partners.
Want to send an eco-friendly message to your kids? Engage them in some good 'ol fashioned child's play and watch this introductory video about the Playreport:
For more, download the whole Playreport here and follow the Playreport on Facebook.
