Something’s wrong with play

Chris Meuse

- February 4, 2013 at 15:46:33

Dear Editor, The January 29th editorial “Something Wrong with Play” correctly identifies that lack of opportunity for unstructured play as an important concern facing children today. However, it unfairly points to the province’s “Active Start” program as a poor solution in helping children develop the skills needed to be physically active. Indeed, programs such as Active Start teach children the building blocks to be active for life. Just as pleasure reading is strengthened through language instruction in schools, children and youth become physically literate when they learn the fundamental movements that compose a game of tag or soccer. For instance, if a child does not develop the fundamental skill of dribbling a ball, they are going to have a more difficult time developing the skills needed to participate in a game of soccer, and this is going to dampen their enthusiasm to play. Children who do not develop their fundamental movement skills early often have poor skill development later, and we know this can prevent further participation in a variety of activities. Though the “Active Start” program may sound like a regimented program of skills and drills it is actually one where children explore and discover movement in a child-centered environment. As a primary school physical education teacher, I can assure your readers that the teaching of ”FUN”damental movement skills actually helps to increase participation in a variety of activities. I have had the privilege of guiding children in the development of these fundamental movement skills through exciting games, activities, challenges and dance. I have witnessed children take these fundamental skills and consolidate them into their own inventive games, not only in the gym, but also on the playground during recess. I champion the efforts of the Departments of Health and Wellness and Education and Early Childhood Development or any other organization for that matter that advocates and/or supports programming that will help to address the inactivity crisis in our youth. As ParticipACTION urges, it is time to bring back play. We do this by teaching children the building blocks of physical activity early, and by fostering confidence, competence, and creativity so that they may be active throughout their lives. Chris Meuse Board of Director Representative for PEI, Physical & Health Education Canada

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Jakolin

- January 30, 2013 at 13:37:04

I remember, not too long ago either I might add, when the kids weren't allowed to sit at the table with the adults when they were having adult conversations, we were sent outside rain or shine. I loved it, we have so many great memories of the forts we made and games we created, heck I think we invented karaoke! It is such a shame that our children are not as ambitious to get outside, I realize its my fault too. Now a days, we are so precautious about pedophiles, accidents, and god forbid drugs getting around our children, that sending them out to play with other children their age isn't always thought of as a safe idea. We have made our children this way either by being scared of something/someone or by giving them everything we didn't have as children, what we don't realize is that we are also not giving them what we did have as kids, imagination and freedom to make choices. Right or Wrong.

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