Say Yes to Play!
Play Week for 2021 kicks off on Monday 15 November through till Sunday 21 November.
The nationwide initiative is led by Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa and regionally implemented by Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti and Healthy Families East Cape. It aims to encourage whānau, rangatahi and tamariki to Say Yes to Play!
Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti Regional Play Systems Lead Anna Tolich said “Play is the easiest way for our tamariki and their whānau to stay active. Play is a fun, unstructured and sometimes a messy way for our tamariki to develop the essential life skills they need such as problem solving, movement skills, creativity, social and emotional connections, resilience, independence, leadership and informed risk taking”
There is no rulebook for Play. Play looks, feels and sounds different to everyone. It doesn’t need to be formal, structured or cost money. It is as easy as going outside and exploring your own backyard.
“If we think back to our childhood memories, play was spontaneous, child led and directed, freely chosen with no pre-determined outcome, fun, accessible, challenging, social and repeatable. It was usually based outdoors in nature, highly active with elements of challenge and risk that tested boundaries in an imaginative way. Share your play memories and old school games with your tamariki and inspire the next generation to Play everyday.” Said Tolich.
To celebrate play, Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti and Healthy Families East Cape will be running themed play challenges throughout the week. Challenges range from dress ups, sand sculpting, fort building, chalk play and more.
2021 has been a tough year for many, take some time out during Play Week to help you connect with tamariki, and improve your hinengaro (mental health) and tinana (physical health).
To go in the draw to win a Hart Sport NZ voucher for your favourite school or kura, head over to the Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti Facebook page for the daily challenges and show your whānau, colleagues, or school and kura Saying Yes to Play!