Play Strategy Action 6.3 Play in the Home

Background

In April 2014, Border Crossing Media was appointed by The Play Strategy Implementation Group to investigate and review good practice in reaching all parents and carers with clear messages and guidance on cost effective resources^[1] and suggestions for play (in the home environment) suitable for children of all ages, stages and abilities.

The findings are intended to deliver the evidence to better inform and shape the development of action 6.3 of The Play Strategy Implementation Group: 'Develop user friendly guidance for parents and carers on how to access cost effective resources for play' by reviewing what is currently available and identifying where there are gaps in the resources.

This study has been designed to support the vision set out in the Play Strategy for Scotland paper produced by The Scottish Government produced in June 2013:

"We want Scotland to be the best place to grow up. A nation which values play as a life-enhancing daily experience for all our children and young people; in their homes, nurseries, schools and communities."^[2]

There are a multitude of issues that can affect a family's ability to play in the home including:

• Long term health conditions, physical or mental
• Physical or learning disabilities
• Unemployment
• Bereavement
• Substance Abuse
• Physical and Mental Abuse
• Rural, isolated families
• Lone parent families
• Teenage and young parents
• Language (non-English speaking)
• Homeless or travelling families
• Older parents
• Large families
• Too much for the parent/carer to do
• Lack of creativity or awareness
• Misunderstanding that play requires money
• Lack of energy and poor nutrition
• Lack of self-belief and self-esteem.

The Scottish Government's Early Years Framework (2008)^[3] policy states:

"All Children in Scotland are entitled to the best start in life and recognises the role of the Scottish Government, local partners and practitioners in early years services in ensuring the needs of all children are met, regardless of their economic or social circumstances."

Therefore it is important for all families to have access to user friendly, cost effective resources to help them engage, encourage and support play in the home.