NURSERIES in Newport celebrated the national playday of Wales with fun activities for children to enjoy.
To mark the occasion on Wednesday, August 3, Newport City Council hosted a fun day at Tredegar Park, with activities including circus skills, cookie decorating, balloon models, toasting marshmallows, face paints, sports activities and messy play.
Childsplay Nursery in Commercial Street also celebrated the event - intended to ensure all children have opportunities to play - with activities in the garden.
Jackie Tomkins, manager at Childsplay, said: “We celebrated the day by spending it in the garden doing activities outside as it’s been a lovely day.
“The children have had a fun-filled day by playing with the bikes and we had a lot of free play as we love being in the garden and the children had a great time.
“Its great that events have been happening across Newport to celebrate it, as play is very important when children are young as they learn through play.
“It’s important that they have a good range of toys available for their age.”
Dawn Cromwell, manager of Berleigh House day nursery in Bryngwyn Road, says it is important that children get the chance to play and is happy that this is being celebrated across Newport.
She said: “We are having sports days this week which is great as it is essential that children play and its important for their wellbeing.
“Play is the children’s work and that is how they learn how beneficial it can be for them. I think it's fantastic that there are events across Newport celebrating play today.”
According to a survey released to mark the day, 62 per cent of children said they would like to play more than five times a week with 35 per cent of parents in agreement, but saying scrolling on Tiktok and watching YouTube videos is stopping them from doing so.
The survey was conducted on behalf of Playful Childhoods, a campaign from national Play Wales, aiming to help parents and carers to give children the time, space and support to play at home and across local communities.
Lisa Duffy, from Crosskeys, believes play should be celebrated as it helps with children’s health and happiness.
She said: “It's very important as they can get creative and learn new things. They can interact with other people through play.
“There's a local park that my son enjoys playing in after school or through the summer holidays to play with friends.
“It is great for a child’s mental well being to be able to play."
Mike Greenaway, director of Play Wales, said “Children have a limitless potential to be imaginative and to think creatively – it’s what they are doing when they are playing. It is obvious to us that we need to give children more opportunities to play everywhere, every day.
“Given the freedom to play, it will be the focus of every child’s life. The survey results serve as a reminder that children want to play more because it makes them happy."
Later in 2022, Play Wales will launch a 30-minute documentary film shot over the pandemic showing fly-on-the-wall footage of children at play across Wales, which will be shown in two selected cinemas.
For more information on playful parenting advice, tips, guidance and support, visit www.playfulchildhoods.wales.
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