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Rain needn't stop play! Fun, Play and Learning ideas for the summer holiday

NEWS RELEASE

26 July 2007

Rain needn't stop play! Fun, Play and Learning ideas for the summer holiday

The summer holidays offer countless opportunities for children to have fun learning about the world around them. It doesn’t have to cost their parents a fortune and rain needn’t stop play! That’s according to childcare organisations, the Pre-school Learning Alliance, Wales PPA, (Wales Pre-school Playgroups Association); SPPA, (Scottish Pre-school Play Association), NIPPA (The Early Years Organisation) and IPPA, the Early Childhood Organisation (Republic of Ireland).

All the organisations, which have a collective membership of over 20,000 pre-schools, children’s centres, day nurseries and playgroups, share and champion the ethos of ‘learning, participating and having fun through play’.

Steve Alexander, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, the largest voluntary sector childcare provider in England says, “We strongly believe that learning is play. Play during the early years, when a child’s brain is developing and making connections, is crucial. It is the foundation for a child’s learning and social development. Play is also important for children as part of their right to be active participants in their communities.”

There is considerable pressure on parents to spend money during the summer holidays on trips out, yet this time of the year offers children an array of exciting new opportunities from which they can derive endless pleasure, keep fit and healthy and learn essential skills.

And what may seem like pure and simple fun, can actually be helping your child develop key skills. Play stimulates a child’s imagination, can help develop physical skills such as co-ordination and can help children develop concentration.

Remember that play does not always have to be adult-led. Significant research has shown that child-initiated activities extend children’s ability to think for themselves and can help build key social skills such as sharing and turn-taking. Facilitating — rather than initiating — play also strengthens the bond between adult and child.

Ask them what they want to do or give them a selection of activities to choose from. Build on their interests; if your child loves animals ask them if they would like to go to the zoo, to a farm or for a walk in the countryside, or, none of the above! Even at pre-school age, children learn from, and are strengthened by, making their own decisions.

So, here are our top-tips for inexpensive and confidence-building activities guaranteed to bring a smile to your child’s face without leaving a hole in your wallet!

Ten tips for free summer fun and learning in the rain!

Finally have a cup of tea and watch TV, but remember it’s a much better experience for your child if you make it active. Ask questions like “what’s happening?” and “why is he doing that?” to help your child understand what they’re watching.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Neil Leitch
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2554
Out of hours press calls: 07802 827 678
E: Neil Leitch

Notes for Editors:

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  2. Through direct provision and its membership of 15,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
  3. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: www.pre-school.org.uk
  4. IPPA, the Early Childhood Organisation is the largest voluntary organisation working for young children and their families in Ireland. IPPA's membership of over 2000 includes Playgroups, Parent and Toddler Groups, Full Day Care Groups, After-school and Out-of- School Groups and individual members.
    Over 47,000 children attend IPPA groups. IPPA has established a network of branches throughout Ireland which provide local support and short training courses for parents and childcare providers. www.ippa.ie
  5. NIPPA – the Early Years Organisation is the largest early years organisation in Northern Ireland. NIPPA is a non-profit making organisation and have been working since 1965 to promote high quality childcare for children aged 0-14 and their families. NIPPA provides information and training for parents, childcare providers, employers and local authorities. www.nippa.org
  6. Scottish Pre-school Play Association (SPPA) is Scotland’s largest voluntary sector provider of direct support services to community led providers of pre-school education and childcare services. www.sppa.org.uk
  7. Wales PPA. Wales Pre-school Playgroups Association represents members working with over 29,000 pre-school children in Wales. Wales PPA supports a broad range of quality pre-school provision including wholly independent charities, vibrant community groups, maintained sector settings and successful private businesses. www.walesppa.org
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