Harrisburg, PA – The Voice of Play, a public outreach initiative to educate families and communities about the importance of outdoor free play for kids, is encouraging Americans to get outside and play during National Play Week June 20-26. Outdoor free play has many important benefits to children of any age, including cognitive, physical, emotional and social.
The Voice of Play, an effort of the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association, advocates that children get at least one hour of outdoor free play every day to help take advantage of the many benefits of unstructured play. Parents can commit to an hour of free play a day by downloading and signing the Voice of Play’s Play Pledge.
“Heading outside to play for an hour a day should be part of every family’s summer routine,” said Tom Norquist, past president of IPEMA and leader of the Voice of Play. “School’s out, but there are many lessons to be learned on the playground—from risk and consequences, social norms like taking your turn and fostering creativity through game-playing.”
To coincide with National Play Week, the organization is launching its revamped website, an easy-to-use, online resource and inspiration for parents, educators and care-givers to exchange information and insights about how to make time for play, foster positive and enriching play experiences and valuable tips about playground safety.
“Skills gained from outdoor free play—particularly when learned early—can help foster independent, healthy young adults and better prepare them to go out into the world,” added Norquist.
Pull Up a Chair in the Play Café
A video will warmly welcome visitors to the Voice of Play website and its Play Café, an interactive space for adults to come together to share ideas, play-related news, links to other online sources and upload videos relating to children’s play.
There are also links to the Voice of Play’s Twitter, Facebook and YouTube social media resources.
The Play Café will also feature book reviews on relevant topics surrounding play, child development, obesity, over-scheduling, recess and playground equipment and surfacing safety.
About IPEMA and the Voice of Play
The Voice of Play is an initiative that promotes increased quality and quantity of children’s play sponsored by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA). For more information, visit www.voiceofplay.com.
Related Information
IPEMA and the Voice of Play are supports of the Let’s Move program to decrease childhood obesity and strongly believe that free play should be a vital part of children’s daily physical activity.
IPEMA and the Voice of Play are also advocates of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sportsand sponsors of the US Play Coalition.
