Play as a Child Health Preventive Strategy

Play is far more than just a recreational activity for children; it is a fundamental building block of health, offering physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits that serve as powerful preventive strategies for future well-being. From fostering development to preventing illness, play is a key element in setting the stage for a healthier future. 
 
We know that but yet a recent report from the Royal Children’s Hospital Australian Families; How we play reports 45% of children don’t play outside most days and as children age their digital play increases and their outdoor play decreases. 
 
Michelle Barry, our Healthy Cities Team leader for Child Health Promotion outlines as an organisation two important programs where we support children’s healthy development through play using the play work principles as a foundation.
 
Active In-Betweens is our healthy living program for children 8-12 years olds in 5 areas across the Illawarra. 
 
The World Health Organization recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for children each day, and play provides a natural, enjoyable way to meet this guideline. Our programs are include structured and unstructured play active activities to increase children’s physical activity. Term 3 data 2024, 94% of children feel they move more because of coming to Active In-Between’s. But play benefits don’t just stop at moving our bodies. Interactive play with peers fosters social skills such as sharing, negotiating, and resolving conflicts. It provides opportunities to practice empathy and emotional regulation, which are essential tools for navigating relationships and challenges later in life. In addition to cognitive and emotional benefits, play serves as a preventive tool for mental health. Engaging in regular physical activity, socializing, and expressing creativity through play can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression in children. Play allows children to release pent-up energy, process their emotions, and cope with stress in a healthy way. Our recent term data overseen by First Person Consulting as part of partnership with Community Drug Action Team. Evaluation data shows that as a result of attending Active In-Betweens program, 94% Feel more socially connected. Active In-Between facilitators are supported and trained in health promotion through play as a holistic way of supporting children’s overall health now and into the future. 

 Play Illawarra 

To ensure that play serves its purpose as a health preventive strategy, it’s important for parents, caregivers, and communities to create environments that promote play. This includes providing access to safe outdoor spaces, limiting screen time, and encouraging both structured and unstructured play. We are incredibly lucky here in the Illawarra alongside our beautiful natural environment we have over 270 playgrounds plus many free fun community events and support services. However, community feedback was around a lack of knowledge of play spaces and events so Play Illawarra became an initiative of Healthy Cities with the collaboration of our 4 local councils Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven who make up the local health district.  Play Illawarra is the online go-to resource to allow families to access play information with the objective of making it easier and reducing barriers for families to play and connect within their community. The aim is to encourage the community to be aware of the play opportunities in their local areas encouraging more connected healthier communities. Encouraging play and connection within our community can be a simple yet effective strategy to promote overall well-being and mental resilience 
 
In conclusion, play is not just a leisurely activity—it is a cornerstone of child development and a powerful preventive health strategy. By focusing on ensuring strategies and policies within our local region advocate, encourage and support play for all children regardless of age, socio economic status, ability, gender or culture, we are not only fostering children’s immediate well-being but also investing in the future health outcomes, positively affecting the physical and emotional health of our Illawarra Community.