Play's the Thing

What do two Canadian Olympic medalists have in common? They are both are committed to promoting play for children. They come from two different perspectives and for differing reasons but both acknowledge the importance of play in a child's life.

Johann Koss an Olympic speed skater heads up Right To Play International. The mandate of this organization is to on helping children who are traumatized by war or living in undeveloped countries. He believes that by bringing play and sport to these children will help them in developing into physically, socially and emotionally healthy adults. Although Right To Plays focus is in the international arena, Koss has made comments about Canadians parents and children including "A lot of parents don't let their children outside in their own garden."

Play has also become the focus and passion of Silken Laumann and the subject of her best-selling book "Child's Play". Laumann cites that many of our children are inactive due to lack of physical activity and too much time watching TV, playing video games or spending time on the computer. Her Active Kids charity has been developed to help communities of parents get their children playing again.

Remember growing up with street hockey games, hopscotch and skipping, or neighbourhood games like Kick the Can or Capture the Flag. These seem to be missing from our neighbourhoods. Our parks appear to have more dogs than children. Sometimes you wonder where are all the people?

Our children need to be more active but not just in the structured leagues and sports. They need time for unstructured, creative and active play.

Recently I have seen a few ads on TV stressing the inportance of healthy activity. ACT NOW BC is an initiative that is promoting the idea that any physical activity is good for a healthy person and our community as a whole.

Take your child to the park today.