Global Action Center: Resolution Based Advocacy Global Action Center: Resolution Based Advocacy 
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—Friedrich Froebel (1887) Issue in Brief Children are growing up in a
rapidly changing world characterized by dramatic shifts in what all
children are expected to know and be able to do. Higher and tougher
standards of learning for all populations of students are focusing on a
narrow view of learning. Consequently, students have less time and
opportunity to play than did children of previous generations. Few
would disagree that the primary goal of education is student learning
and that all educators, families, and policymakers bear the
responsibility of making learning accessible to all children. Decades
of research has documented that play has a crucial role in the optimal
growth, learning, and development of children from infancy through
adolescence. Yet, this need is being challenged, and so children's
right to play must be defended by all adults, especially educators and
parents. The time has come to advocate strongly in support of play for
all children. The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) recognizes the need for children of all ages to play and affirms the essential role of play in children's lives. ACEI believes that as today's children continue to experience pressure to succeed in all areas, the necessity for play becomes even more critical. ACEI supports all adults who respect, understand, and advocate legitimizing play as an essential pathway to learning for all populations of children. When working with children, adults should use their knowledge about play to guide their practice. ACEI Speaks About Play
With its resolution on the critical role of play ACEI took the lead in articulating the critical and essential need for play experiences to all educators, parents, and policymakers worldwide. ACEI Position Paper: Play: Essential for All Children The 1988 ACEI position statement on play, "Play: A Necessity for All Children" (ACEI/Isenberg & Quisenberry, 1988), has been widely cited and continues to influence the thinking of educators. Unfortunately, the issues presented in 1988 remain unresolved today. The fundamental beliefs, guiding principles, and recommended practices in this position paper are similar to those in the 1988 paper, and continue to be rooted in the latest research, theory, and exemplary practice. This updated position paper first discuss ACEI's beliefs about play and cite the supporting research and theory. Then, discusses the guiding principles and practices for play experiences. Finally, it presents ACEI's call to action on play.
Recommended Resources Publications The Changing Culture of Childhood: A Perfect Storm, Childhood Education, Volume 83, No. 4, P. 225 Children who have fewer ideas about peace than they do about war are the long-term consequence of a society that legitimizes violence in the form of armed conflict, dismisses human values in the face of political crises, and drains government budgets with military spending. This official ACEI Statement urges a proactive approach to peace education. Position Statement: Promoting Healing with Play, Work, and the Creative Arts
On Universal Children's Day
The world has experienced many natural disasters recently that have had a profound effect on the physical and emotion health of our children. Joe L. Frost, Consultant, Parker Centennial Professor Emeritus, University of Texas, Austin, and former President of ACEI, offers a glimpse into the "strength, resiliency, and coping behaviors of children subjected to" disasters, both man-made and natural. In his article titled, "Lessons From Disasters," Childhood Education, Vol. 82, No. 1 (2005), he explores how "affected children are helped through the intervention of adults and the natural coping mechanisms of play, work, and the creative arts." Lessons From Disasters, Childhood Education, Volume 82, No. 1, P. 2
Joe L. Frost writes that play and creative arts work to help children cope with trauma and related problems because they are "the child's natural medium for self-expression; they allow trained adults to determine the nature and causes of behavior; they allow children to express thoughts and concerns for which they may not have worlds; and they allow for the cathartic release of feelings and frustrations." The right to play is important for all children. Moreover, Frost states that "the preservation of hope and dignity" must always be central to teaching children how to cope with any type of trauma. He outlines suggested activities that promote healing. Obesity and Children (ACEI Speaks) Medical professionals and educators are deeply concerned by the alarming increase in childhood obesity. When parents establish healthful food and activity patterns as early as possible, it has lifelong implications for their children's physical, emotional, and social well-being.ACEI explores the negative effects of obesity, recommends nutrition and activity choices, and provides a wealth of references for parents. Play's Role in Brain Development (ACEI Speaks) Because of recent advances in techniques to observe the electrical and chemical processes occurring in living brains, researchers can now tell us more about how the brain develops. We are only beginning to gain information about the typical course of child brain development over the years from birth to adolescence. Researchers agree that at all ages, an active brain is a developing brain. A family that pursues a wide range of recreational activities, enjoys word games and other types of play together, and values trying out new experiences will probably help their children's brains to develop richly and uniquely. ACEI Books
Interviews on VoiceAmerica
radio with Ernest Dettore and Christine Ferguson on "To Play or Not To
Play: Is It Really a Question?" You Tube
UNICEF: Every Child Has the Right to Play
(YouTube video, 1 min 24 sec) UNICEF: Safe Play Areas Offer Some Relief for Children
(YouTube video, 1 min 50 sec) David Cameron on providing good spaces for children to play
(YouTube video, 2 min 22 sec) Web Sites American Academy of Pediatrics The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds, Vol. 119, No.1, January 2007 Fair Play for Children Fair Play for Children promotes the Child's Right to Play as contained in Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and provides resources, information, and news. Family Communications Family Communications, founded by Fred Rogers in 1971, develops projects in all media, and provides education and training for people who work with young children and consult on issues that affect families. International Play Association International Play Association, a non governmental organization, lists resources and provides an international forum and advocacy platform for the promotion of play opportunities. Play England Play England promotes strategies for free play and aims to create a lasting support structure for play providers in England. They provide resources, magazines, and briefs on play. The Lego Group The Lego Group helps children to develop their creativity and learning skills through constructive play. The LEGO Children's Fund supports innovative projects and to cultivate and celebrate a child's exploration of personal creativity and creative problem solving. Take Action on This Issue 1. Place an article in your local newspapers and community newsletters.
2. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspapers and community newsletters. 3. Send published letters and articles to your member of Congress. 4. Write or e-mail to your state legislators. (acei.org/legisl.htm) 5. Write or e-mail to you national legislators. (acei.org/legisl.htm) 6. Organize a community forum. |
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