Active play creates active lifestyles

Childhood obesity and physical inactivity are rising and young people’s relationship with the outdoor world is dwindling. Despite children having an abundance of natural energy, it is adults that may be stopping them from being as active as they could be. Evidence shows that adopting an active lifestyle early in life encourages healthy habits in adulthood which means providing children with the time, space and facilities to enable that natural energy.

Schools lead the way
Schools are being tasked with leading the charge in establishing these early, healthy habits and are receiving some much-needed funding in the process. £150 million a year in School Sport Premium funding has been guaranteed by the government until 2020. This is to be used at schools’ discretion to improve the provision of PE and sport, to develop physical literacy and encourage physical activity as part of a lifelong healthy lifestyle.    
    
Sport England has also awarded £18 million of National Lottery funding to over 600 schools with little suitable outside space for PE, sport and active play. Successful schools receive up to £30,000 to spend on a range of specially created packages – such as multi-sports areas – which can be tailored to meet their needs, for use both within the national curriculum and outside traditional school hours.   

High-quality play providers
The lead trade body for the UK play sector, the Association of Play Industries (API), is working closely with schools to provide these much-needed new outdoor facilities. The association’s members are the country’s leading experts in the design, creation and installation of high-quality play and learning spaces, multi-use games and play areas, play equipment and resources to schools, academies and early years settings across the UK. They operate to the highest standards, abide by a strict professional code of conduct, comply with BSEN 1176 and other relevant safety standards, and are rigorously and regularly monitored and credit-checked for financial security and stability. The API is the voice of the UK play industry and campaigns at the highest levels for policy recognition of the value of active play.   

Play matters
In the run up to the general election, the API is urging all political parties to make play a manifesto priority. Provision of high-quality play facilities not only has a vital role to play in tackling the nation’s catastrophic physical inactivity epidemic, it also addresses wider social problems like social exclusion, anti-social behaviour and community cohesion.

Michael Hoenigmann, chairman at API, says: “Physical inactivity is one of the greatest health, societal and economic challenges of the 21st century so it is vital that we tackle it from children’s earliest years – but there are many local communities where children have no safe places to play apart from at school. Schools have a major part to play in improving children’s physical literacy. Embedding a culture of physical activity into everyday school life is essential, both inside and outside the classroom. In practical terms, this means increasing the number, quality and variety of opportunities for children to be active throughout the school day.”
    
Active outdoor learning and play at school are as important as PE and sport in encouraging children of all capabilities to be more physically active. Play improves concentration, classroom behaviour and academic performance too. The API hopes to see the government extend the Sport England Primary Spaces programme into every school, with broader scope to incorporate a wide variety of physical literacy activities, not just ball games. It would also like to see a measurable outcome for physical literacy in all schools. Agreed minimum levels of physical activity, outdoor learning and play would be mandated within the National Curriculum with outcomes assessed within the Ofsted framework.

The benefits of play
Active play has wide-ranging physical benefits, from improving physical literacy and developing fundamental movement skills, to supporting physical and mental health. It also is vital in building strength, resistance, co-ordination, spatial awareness and balance, whilst increasing brain and sensory development, and improving well-being and happiness.  
    
There are other benefits too. Research organisations, academic institutions, play campaigning organisations, education and health organisations, amongst others, report that active play delivers emotional and behavioural benefits. This provides freedom, choice and independence, reduces anxiety, improves concentration and focus, builds confidence and is particularly effective as a learning environment for boys and for those with special educational needs. In addition, this helps children build resilience, experience challenges, deal with new situations and take risks in a positive way. It enhances creativity, imaginative and role play, and increases self‑awareness, self-esteem, and self-respect.
    
Furthermore, there are social benefits as well. Active play encourages exploration and discovery, promotes team-work, problem‑solving and leadership skills, and enables children to develop social skills by meeting new people and socialising with friends. It also empowers children of all abilities and backgrounds to play together and provide opportunities for learning. By improving interaction with the natural world and through promoting environmental citizenship, there also can be visible environmental benefits to active play.

Peace of mind
There has never been a more important time for schools to improve their outdoor facilities. Whether it is a complete playground transformation, a flexible new multi-use games or play area with dynamic new markings, pathways or surfacing, an outdoor classroom for all-weather learning or a new area for gardening, growing and mini‑beast discovery, API members work in close consultation with head teachers, school management and finance teams, curriculum leaders, teachers, PTAs and school councils to understand each school’s individual needs and wants.

They make design recommendations based on expert knowledge and experience and are a trusted, reliable partner throughout the installation process, including high-quality after care, inspection and maintenance advice.
    
At a time when budgets are under increasing pressure, it is understandable that schools may be tempted by what might seem at first to be cut-price options. Drawings of playgrounds and play equipment can sometimes look alike to customers, but the reason that cut-price operators can deliver seemingly cheaper deals is because they are likely to be compromising on design, quality, compliance with standards, materials, safety and reliability.

By asking for evidence of current API membership, schools can be sure they are working with a reputable, professional, financially secure play company. API members understand the unique needs, demands and pressures that schools face. They will always provide a bespoke play solution to address a school’s specific objectives, based on a visit from a highly-skilled and experienced consultant, never an ‘off-the-shelf’ package from a pushy salesperson with a script.  
    
The API website is an essential first port of call for schools planning a playground or other outdoor facilities project. It provides a wide range of helpful advice, resources, information and links about fundraising, planning and project guidance, design, safety and risk. It also includes full details of every member company including latest news, case studies and examples of work.
    
Further information
www.api-play.org