Play Matters: How a social enterprise is pushing child development through play

Twice a month, Paul and Sigrid Perez have taken to spending a whole afternoon on exclusive dates.  Not alone, but rather, with their large brood of eight.  They call these outings Boys/Girls Day Out.  At the end of each play date, the kids can decide on a special group treat from mom and dad, within a reasonable budget.  Almost all the time, they predictably asked for toys. “Kids liking and being drawn to toys is a given.  But if indeed a child’s environment is his playground, we had to wonder if what we are providing was stimulating enough for them,” Sigrid said.     

This got the couple harking back to their own growing up years, when play meant running off somewhere with your mates and fancy gadgets did not always dictate childhood adventures.  They echoed the observation to friends and colleagues, particularly those involved in child care services, and were struck by the amount of discussion it elicited.  The casual peer talks triggered further consultations, networking activities and eventually gave birth to Play Universal,  a coalition that Sigrid put together whose mission is to promote, enrich and cultivate the benefits of play at home, in school and in communities.  “We are speaking not only to educators and doctors but to fellow parents as well.  We believe learning happens not only in a school setting when they study lessons and pore over books.  The goal is to get as many Filipino parents to embrace the thinking and become more involved in their children’s play activities,” Sigrid explains.       

As a first step, Play Universal is staging an international conference, Play Pilipinas 2011, which will gather experts, child care professionals and families to share the latest research on play and showcase best practice.  Sigrid sees this as a landmark activity towards a national effort to broaden the perspective on the importance of play in child development.
      
Research is unanimous on the value of play.  Professor Geraldine Naughton, Director of the Center for Physical Activity Across the Lifespan at the Australian Catholic University, describes play as “the currency of children” and recommends that adults who have contact with kids aged five to zero rethink the value of play and activity.  “They need to understand that the benefits of play and movement far outweigh risks like minor injury.  Adults must prioritize opportunities throughout the day for children to be active.  The picture around play and movement is very complex.  There is no magic fix; it’s a whole lifestyle issue – one the whole family needs to embrace.”

 

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Play changes both people and their surroundings.  Children and young people want to influence the environment through their play.  For Hitoshi Shimamura, Regional Vice President for Asia of the International Play Association, local authorities cannot retreat from making an effort to create better play environments for children.  “Play is a powerful language connecting whole communities regardless of race, religion, generation and vocation.  It is essential for people’s healthy and creative life.”
 
In her book, “The Magic of Play: Children Heal through Play Therapy,” one of the country’s foremost experts in child psychology, Dr. Lourdes Carandang of the MLAC Institute, notes how play affords the child a sense of power over his environment.  “It is an antidote to helplessness and depression because it is empowering.  Play is the time and space to be.  Playing gives the glorious sensation of autonomy, of freedom.  It is deeply satisfying.  As it is with children, so it is with adults.  Simply, we all need to play.”

Play also reinforces interaction between parents and children.  According to Herald and Melissa Cruz of the Center for Family Ministries based at the Ateneo de Manila University, it is during play that children often imitate valuable adult behaviours.  “When you play with your children, you make them feel important and valued.  During playtime, you start to form a strong bond with your kids and as your kids grow, they will continue to want to spend time with you.”

Play Pilipinas will be held from October 21 to 23 at the SMX Convention Center located at the Mall of Asia Complex.  Professor Geraldine Naughton, Hitomi Shimamura and Dr. Lourdes Carandang will deliver presentations during the conference.  Also expected to present are Dr. Ma Teresa Gustilo-Villasor, a PAP Certified Clinical Psychologist and Assessment Psychologist who runs a private practice in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology;

Dr. Esther Esteban, a professor at the University of Asia & the Pacific, Manila, where she teaches Developmental Psychology, Media Literacy for Educators of Children and Adolescents, and Instructional Leadership & Supervision in the School of Education; and at Miriam College, Manila where she teaches Family Psychology in the Department of Psychology; Kay Gibbons, Head of Nutrition Services at Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and Honorary Fellow of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; Professor Anita Bundy of the University of Sydney, known internationally for developing theory and research in play with children who have disabilities and in sensory integration; Aina Lacson, educator and wooden toys designer; Aileen Sison and Cris Carandang of the MLAC Institute; and May Soriano, a corporate and executive coach.

 

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As a preparatory activity, Play Pilipinas will be holding a competition for designers, whether students, amateurs or professionals, to design an adventure playground that can immerse children, teens and even adults in the wonder and delights of active play.  During the conference, the winning design will be showcased -  a 100sqm indoor adventure playground for guests of all ages to enjoy

Play Pilipinas 2011 will also feature the following activities which will be open to the public:
• TOY FAIR: A toy fair with over 50 booths, each featuring the latest tools and toys for active play. Organized by age bracket.
• BOOK AND MAGAZINE FAIR: A veritable showcase of the latest and best titles covering play and child development.
• CHILDREN'S NUTRITION FAIR: A taste of the kind of food that makes for fun, delicious and healthy eating for kids.
• CHILDREN'S FASHION FAIR: An exhibition of outfits fit for active play and other children's activities.
• SCHOOL FAIR: A venue for schools or institutions to showcase their programs and the ways they integrate play into their curriculum/activities.
• WORLD TOYS EXHIBIT: An exhibition showcasing toys and games from around the world.

For more information about Play Pilipinas including registration details, log on to http://www.playpilipinas.org.

Sigrid Sabarre Perez
Executive Director
Play Universal

Sigrid is a former educator and school administrator, with experience in both traditional and progressive school systems. She is co-founder and lead volunteer of the children's cancer support organization Project: Brave Kids, and runs an advertising company with her husband Paul.  A native of Cebu City, she holds a Humanities degree from the University of Asia and the Pacific, and has earned units towards a Masters degree in Family Life and Child Development from the University of the Philippines. She is the proud mother of eight children.

Rev. Herald C. Cruz
Head, Parenting Group
Center for Family Ministries

Rev. Herald C. Cruz finished his undergraduate degree of Pastoral Studies from Bethel Bible College, and his MA in Christian studies from the Alliance Graduate Seminary and has a Graduate Diploma in Family Counseling from the Center for Family Ministries (CEFAM) at the Ateneo de Manila University. He is a professional counselor at CEFAM and has been a guest counselor for various TV and radio programs

Melissa Pizana-Cruz
Head, Parenting Group
Center for Family Ministries

Melissa Pizana-Cruz currently works as a UNDP consultant. She is a published author and finished her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, and also taught as a lecturer in the same university. She has a Graduate Diploma in Family Counseling from the Center for Family Ministries (CEFAM) at the Ateneo de Manila University and also holds a Certificate in Life Coaching from the Ford Institute for Integrative Coaching in the USA where she graduated as a scholar.

Herald and Melissa co-host the program Usapang Pamilya (Family Talk), produced by the Asia Pacific Media Ministries and are regular speakers for  Ateneo’s Pre-Cana Seminar for Premarital Preparation. They currently head the Parenting Cluster of the Center for Family Ministries of the Ateneo de Manila University do public speaking engagements for various sectors both here and abroad. They have been married for 18 years and have 4 beautiful children.

 

Photography by David Hanson Ong