Play is fundamentally and universally important. It helps children grow and develop whilst learning about themselves and the world around them. Playing is also important for its own sake - every child should be able to play in a way that is fun for them.
At our #RCOT2023 Annual Conference we launched our new guideline all about the importance of children’s play and how you can incorporate it into your occupational therapy practice.
Our evidence-based practice guideline Occupational therapy and Play followed our gold standard NICE accredited process, and the recommendations for practice are based on contemporary research evidence.
This new guideline brings together the work of the Guideline Development Group, which included occupational therapists from a range of settings, stakeholders and public contributors.
Due to its importance, we have made Occupational therapy and play available for free to all, at www.rcot.co.uk/playguideline.
What is play?
Play is a fundamental right for children and young people.
The importance of play in children’s lives cannot be underestimated: it is one of the main ways children learn and grow. It is through the powerful medium of play that children develop a whole range of skills – physical, cognitive, emotional, social and communication to name but a few. This guideline is a tool to help you promote play within your practice, so you can provide the best possible services for children and their families.
Play looks different for every child, but is of equal importance to every child, no matter their situation or abilities.
Why is play important to occupational therapy?
Following its launch at our Annual Conference, Dr Sally Payne, our Professional Advisers for children and young people, says:
‘Play is fundamentally and universally important. It helps children grow and develop whilst learning about themselves and the world around them. Playing is also important for its own sake - every child should be able to play in a way that is fun for them.
‘As occupational therapists, we help children with developmental difficulties and disabilities to be able to play. We also use play in our therapy, making our assessments fun and engaging. This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for including play in our work with all children.’
Dr Naomi Graham, Founder and CEO of children’s charity, Growing Hope, and a member of the Guideline Development Group for Occupational therapy and play, adds:
‘Play is an essential part of my role as a children’s occupational therapist. I’m constantly thinking to myself – ‘how can I make this more play-focused?’ – making sure that I’m referring to ‘play’ and not ‘work’ with the children and families I’m with.
When I completed my PhD I found that children with cerebral palsy and high levels of physical disability talked about their experience of play as one that was different from their peers. This has cemented in me a desire to make sure that I’m always considering play from the child’s perspective. The more children are able to play as part of working towards their therapy goals, the more this is incorporated into their day-to-day life with their families.’
If you’d like to learn more about play and how to build it into your practice download the full guide via www.rcot.co.uk/playguideline.