Aberlour Child Care Trust, 36 Park Terrace, Stirling FK8 2JR
Tel: 01786 450335 Fax: 01786 473238
News - in Depth
20/4/2007
PHOTOCALL - CHILDREN CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF TRADITIONAL PLAYGROUND GAMES
Date: 20th April
Time: 9.45am
Venue: Strathallan Primary School, Strathallan Drive, Kirkcaldy
Local primary school children from Kirkcaldy will be showing off their new skills gained from taking part in traditional games brought back into the school playground and community thanks to the innovative Play Peace Project from Aberlour children’s charity.
The playground demonstration marks the launch of a resource pack for local schools and community groups and the publication of an independent evaluation report of the Play Peace Project
Play Peace aims to encourage children to be more active and able to organise themselves to play games and work together. The Project promotes and develops positive play through traditional games and sports. This enables children to make new friends, feel included and improve playground safety and harmony. The Play Peace Project is managed by Aberlour Child Care Trust with funding from Fife Council Regeneration and the Big Lottery.
The project is now in its third year of operations the Kirkaldy and Dysart area and works with six schools – a roll call of nearly 1,700 pupils. Play Peace also offers a community programme in local play areas during the summer school holidays.
The resource pack includes a trainer’s manual and a CD Rom with a detailed breakdown of how to play the games, the skills needed and challenges they present. It also contains training support material for Games Leaders who are children selected from Primary 6 and 7 and have the responsibility to develop and continue the programme in their school.
The independent research study highlighted the project’s success at improving children’s behaviour and quality of life. The sessions were extremely popular and Head Teachers noted a positive impact on health and fitness and improved pupil interaction, behaviour and attitudes on the return to the classroom. All Head Teachers thought that Play Peace had some difference in reducing the number of incidents and accidents in the playground. A majority of Head Teachers interviewed also thought Play Peace had made some difference and most thought it had made a big difference to reducing bullying in the playground.
Laura Petrie, Play Peace Project Leader, said:
“Play Peace is about creating a culture where children play fairly, respectfully and includes children, no matter their ability, size, shape or ethnic background. We work to make sure that play remains spontaneous and it enhances children’s abilities to have fun together and to be able to use their free time more confidently.”
Isabelle McBain, Strathallan Primary School, adds:
“We would like to think that playtime is always fun, but playgrounds can be tough environments with children feeling lonely. The Play Peace Project has helped the children to work better together, play nicer and enjoy their free time. This positive interaction in the playground gets taken back into the classroom and allows the children to be more happy and settled and ready to learn.”
For media enquiries contact:
Kelly Bayes or Ann-Marie Fry at Aberlour Head Office on tel. (01786) 450335.
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