Robert Brown calls on Government for play strategy

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th Apr 2008

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has called on the Scottish Government to develop a Play and Communication Strategy to help give children the best start in life and to stop Scotland's children falling behind children in England on communication and other interpersonal skills.

The call comes as the Westminster government is putting £235 million over the next three years behind an English play strategy to rebuild playgrounds and create new adventure playgrounds.

Now, in a motion to the Scottish Parliament, Mr. Brown is calling for the Scottish Government to match the commitment to play in Scotland.

It is widely recognised that children who are allowed to play freely develop better communication skills and learn faster when they reach school age. Play can also contribute to a child's physical and emotional well being and develop a child's responsibility for others.

Encouraging children to play can be a key step in the fight against childhood obesity, and can build up confidence and interpersonal skills.

Mr. Brown said:

"Allowing children the freedom to play is probably one of the best things we can do to give them the greatest possible start in life and many studies have shown the beneficial effects play can have on the development of children.

"The Westminster government have recognised this and are seizing the opportunity to develop children's play facilities and grow children's interpersonal skills by investing money into a targeted strategy for England.

"This is what Liberal Democrats wanted to do in Scotland, where I believe a greater focus on play and communication would reap dividends.

"An alarmingly high number of children have some degree of communication difficulty when they start school. While some grow out of it normally, others can be significantly handicapped in their education. Good play opportunities are one great way forward on this.

"Many play facilities are well used. There are some great examples of successful play areas and play schemes such as the staffed Adventure Playground in Reidvale in the East End, and the well maintained and well used Cleeves Road playground in Priesthill.

"Many playgroups are also doing great work with young children - like the Funky Divas at Croftfoot Parish Church which use dance and music to inspire children. This recognises the other element of encouraging children to be active.

Sadly, however, some play areas have fallen into a state of disrepair and many other play facilities could be better.

"That's why I'm calling on the Government to develop a play and communication strategy for Scotland, so that children are not left behind and are able to access all sorts of good play opportunities.

"At a time when childhood obesity is on the rise, and when the SNP Government are dropping their commitment to two hours per week of PE per child in school, the Government really needs to sit up and realise the effect this will have on young people later on. We need to provide a sustained commitment to the play needs of children all over the country today."

ends

Motion:

The Parliament notes the introduction of the Government's Play Strategy for England and the commitment of £235 million over 3 years to fund the Strategy including the rebuilding or renewal of playgrounds and the creation of supervised adventure playgrounds; notes with concern that many children have deficiencies in communication skills when they start school; welcomes the contribution that play makes to the development and life chances of children; believes the time is ripe for the development of an innovative Play and Communication Strategy for Scotland and urges the Scottish Government to give play and communication a high priority in their programme.