Orphans and Vulnerable Children - CRIN

Why is Playing Important for Children?

In this activity, you will:

 Discuss with the group why play is important for children’s development

Facilitator’s notes:

Introduce this topic by explaining that recreation for children involves playing
and other activities in which they can participate actively or passively.
Play is one of the most effective ways in which children communicate. It helps
children to develop their communication and social skills; and builds resilience
in them. Recreational play is especially important for vulnerable children as it
promotes social integration and helps them overcome stigma and isolation.
It also keeps children active which is good for their physical and mental states.

Explain that children communicate not only with spoken language, but also through body language,
through play, and by other means of social behaviour.

For this activity you will need:

 Flipchart and markers

To facilitate this activity:

1 Divide participants into three groups and ask them to discuss the types of recreation activities
boys and girls engage in. List the recreation activities for girls and for boys separately.
Group 1: Lists recreation activities for children 1 to 5 years
Group 2: Lists recreation activities for children 6 to 11 years
Group 3: Lists recreation activities for children 12 to 18 years.
In plenary, allow groups to give their lists and write these up on the flipchart.

2 Then discuss with the whole
group how the participation of
boys and girls differs in play
activities. Discuss how
recreational activities can help
to support vulnerable children;
and what activities home
visitors can do with children.

Remind participants that

these activities for children

do not need many resources,

except the creative imagination

of the participants!

Further notes on the

importance of play

are to be found in

Appendix 2 on

page 351

note !!

Activity 1

30 minutes

Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Unit 2, Module 2^197