A Plan for Play

This report is the fourth of a series from The All Party-Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood and although it stands alone in its own right, is best considered in that context. The recommendations within it contribute to our vision of ‘whole child’ health and wellbeing. ‘Play’ itself requires definition and has been interpreted in many ways by many different people and organisations. In essence it is what children freely choose to do when their time and ability to act are entirely their own. It may be what a child chooses to do when they are not under the control, overt or implied, of an adult. Many people regard play as a ‘process’ rather than an outcome. It has no defined purpose or agenda other than what is in the mind of the child at that moment. In reality, there are levels of ‘adult control’ depending on the situation, but what is most important is that no adult is at that moment, steering what is happening. Enablement of play through ‘light touch and design’ is a particular skill, as is play supervision if it is to remain ‘play’ rather than an adult-controlled activity of arguably less value.