Play strategy for Scotland: our vision

MINISTERIAL FOREWORD

Aileen Campbell MSP
Minister for Children and Young People

Play is vital from the early stages of brain development and bonding with parents and carers, and promotes independence and autonomy for the teenage years.

Play is the universal language of childhood, it is an activity which exists for its own sake but also has a fundamental role. All children and young people should have the opportunity to play every day and I am delighted to present Scotland's first National Play Strategy.

This Strategy is built on the views of children and young people, parents and carers, the play sector and others involved in their wellbeing. Together with the action plan it seeks to improve the play experiences of all children and young people, including those with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Play is a fundamental part of childhood, taking place within the home from birth, through formal and informal learning, and in community settings through the use of public spaces and services. Our role as parents and carers is to enable and facilitate play. As policy makers, planners and practitioners it is to ensure play is embedded at the heart of decision making throughout our society and to provide the catalyst for culture change.

Finally, I would like to congratulate and thank all those who have given their time and expertise to the development of this innovative and collaborative vision, and our action plan, which will follow in the autumn.