Page 53 - SEN106 SEN Magazine May-June 2020

Outdoor play spaces must be nurturing and welcoming for all pupils, writes Kristina Causer Inclusive outdoor play A lbert Einstein famously described play as “the highest form of research”. Play England, in their Charter for Children’s Play, define it as “what children and young people do when they follow their own ideas and interests, in their own way, and for their own reasons.” Play is so important that in 2010, the Welsh Government even made it a legal requirement for every Welsh local authority to secure sufficient play opportunities in their area for children. Yet it seems we still have to fight for the rights of children’s play, particularly for children with SEN and disabilities. The benefits of play With today’s children aged five to sixteen spending, on average, six hours a day in front of a screen, the benefits of outdoor play have perhaps never been more in evidence. Play offers children freedom and space; it increases their self-esteem, awareness, physical and mental health; it builds resilience; and it fosters learning and problem solving. Crucially, outdoor play promotes children’s learning and development in a way that indoor environments simply cannot match. It also provides a wonderful equal opportunity, that normal day-to-day life may not afford them, for children with SEN to socialise with others. Play spaces, either within schools or in public spaces, fulfil a vital function in our communities. They foster a deep connection with the natural world, encouraging children to be more active and motivated and therefore more open to learning. Children need daily exercise. Current NHS guidance states that children should aim for “an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a day across the week”. For young children, this won’t involve formalised team sports or gym equipment, so it will probably all be through play. Play for everyone If we accept the importance of play for children, we must embrace its value for every child. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the requirements of children with SEN and disabilities to be neglected in playground design – not generally because of a lack of care but because their requirements are not properly understood. Government figures show that around 6 per cent of children (more than one in 20) under the age of 16 in the UK has a disability. So, even given the disproportionate number of children with SEN and disabilities in special school If we accept the importance of play for children, we must embrace its value for every child senmagazine.co.uk SEN 106 53 Play