Opinion

Recovering through play

Viewpoint
Access to free play outside should be a central part of efforts to help children recover from the Covid-19 pandemic
Anita Grant: 'Luckily, we already know about a super medicine for loneliness, isolation, lack of exercise, boredom, restriction, lack of creativity and depression. It’s called Playing Outside.'
Anita Grant: 'Luckily, we already know about a super medicine for loneliness, isolation, lack of exercise, boredom, restriction, lack of creativity and depression. It’s called Playing Outside.'

The pandemic response has caused children to be restricted and observed like never before and the use of the screen as their play, leisure and communication channel has led to a reduction in physical exercise, worsening eyesight and lack of experiences.

Mums in nurseries are describing a picture where babies – born during the pandemic – seem much younger than their older siblings at the same age: ‘They have missed a year of life.’ That includes everything from exploring their environment and meeting new friends to trying new food or experiencing the weather.

We can clearly see the effect on young children of staying at home. They are not used to new faces, lots of people in the same space, or exploring. The impact is fundamental and all-encompassing.

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