EDUCATION experts advise schools to allow kids to play.
This as more and more pupils in lower grades find themselves involved in criminal activities such as gangsterism, carrying guns to schools, bullying, fighting and stabbings.
“What we read in the newspapers about children exhibiting troubled behaviour are signs of psychological problems. We need to be involved to help them work through their troubles,” Education psychologist, Sinovuyo Arosi said.
In her view, the first step in dealing with the issue is fostering a healthy environment wherein kids are kept busy through playing as this stimulates their psychological, cognitive, social and emotional well-being.
In doing so, the SASKO Siyasizana community initiative launched the ‘Play Better’ campaign, which aims to restore and upgrade 1 000 playgrounds throughout Mzansi by 2030.
The initiative is aimed at underprivileged schools in Gauteng, KZN, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape that require facility renovations or lack these facilities due to a lack of funds.
“We want to target social thoughts in children earlier on. They learn a lot from playing with other children and build meaningful relations that help them relate better in life,” she said.
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A study done by UNICEF revealed that when children play, they’re learning lessons that last a lifetime.
“As humans, our ability to problem-solve, deal with physical and emotional challenges, think creatively and express ourselves clearly has its foundations in play. Educational achievement doesn’t start with a textbook – it starts with the foundations that are laid and sustained through play from the start of a child’s life,” the research read.
And Sinovuyo agrees with UNICEF.
“Play is the language of children,” she said, adding that parents can also get involved by nominating their preferred school.
As part of the SASKO Siyasizana initiative, South Africans get a chance to nominate a local school to get a playground worth R10 000. To nominate their chosen school, entrants need to buy SASKO bread, buns or rolls, scan the QR code on the pack, or use the SASKO WhatsApp channel and follow the prompt.
Sinovuyo said the message is clear, “It's all about enabling children to play freely and use facilities to engage in play as well as address all the aspects of child growth.”
