Play & Challenge – Play Matters Briefing July 2018

The latest Play Matters briefing explores Play and Challenge. Children need the freedom to play how they choose and sometimes this includes taking risks and engaging in risky, challenging play. This briefing paper explores how we, as adults, can support children to test themselves and stretch their limits through play.

Please click on link below to download the latest Play Matters Briefing:

Play & Challenge – Play Matters Briefing July 2018

Play Matters – Outdoor Fun in the Sun!

Summer is here and the sun is shining – what a great time for getting children of all ages
outdoors. Remember, good quality play needn’t cost very much, if anything at all.

Playing outdoors with your child can be anything from tickling your baby’s tummy on a rug, playing peek-a-boo, to playing hide and seek in the garden or park. Being outside with your child offers all sorts of play opportunities. A simple walk in the park or street, or playing in the garden can offer all kinds of playful fun.

Recreate some of your childhood play memories and make some time to play each day.

For some fun ideas click here.

 

Play Matters – Playing Outdoors

Playing Outdoors is critically important for children of any age and we encourage you to read the second Play Matters briefing paper which focuses on just that!
 
Children growing up today are experiencing decreasing opportunities to play independently outdoors and this paper explores the reasons why, considers the benefits of playing outdoors for children and offers some simple thoughts and suggestions to helping encourage outdoor play.

 

You can view the Playing Outdoors briefing on the Department of Education’s website at https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/education/Playing%20Outdoors.pdf

 

Play Matters – EITP Project

The Children and Young People’s Strategy Team within the Department of Education is taking forward a Play and Leisure project entitled Play Matters which is funded through the Delivering Social Change – Early Intervention Transformation Programme (EITP).

As part of the project’s play campaign they plan to promote key play messages through social media platforms and are asking you to support the project by taking the time to read and share their play messages through your own networks, forums and social media outlets. You can follow Play Matters on twitter at @Education_NI  #playmatters

If you would like more information or would like to hear more detail on the full Play and Leisure project (including Play Shaper and Play for Parents programmes) please contact Angela Stallard at angela.stallard@education-ni.gov.uk or Pamela Baxter at pamela.baxter@education-ni.gov.uk or call 028 91279203.

For more information please click on the link below:

Play Matters Campaign Release

Play Matters Leaflet

 

EITP – Getting Ready to Learn Funding Information Sessions

Getting Ready to Learn is a project funded through the Early Intervention Transformation Programme, which seeks to support pre-school settings with DE Funded places to encourage and develop parental involvement in children’s early learning.  This is to ensure maximum parental contribution at a crucial time in children’s early brain development.

The funding application process for 2017/18 academic year will open on Wednesday, 1 March 2017 and a number of information sessions will be held over the coming weeks for new applicants.

For more information on the Getting Ready to Learn Project and the Information Sessions please click on the links below:

Getting Ready to Learn Introductory Information

Getting Ready to Learn Information Sessions