STL2C9: Understand children and young people’s play and leisure
1.1 Describe the importance of play and leisure for children and young people.
It is important for children to learn how to problem solve and work things out for
themselves. Play time encourages children to look for their own solutions and how
to work round them. It builds their self-confidence and develops their
communication skills. It challenges their thoughts and ideas and articulates
negotiation skills. Children might also develop certain interests whilst working
along others.
Play time encourages them to try new things. It builds resilience and encourage
them to take risks which is an important life skill.
Children discover new abilities and skills they otherwise thought they didn’t have
as they interact, learn and have fun with their peers. It helps them relax, reduces
stress and builds their social circle.
Without the presence of adults, children learn to work at their own initiative. They
will be motivated and challenged by others and new things encouraging them to be
determined to accomplish certain goals.
They tend to learn at their own pace without any pressure from adults and that’s
important because they can explore and show their true potential.
Play time is also important for developing relationships, practice their listening
skills, share their views and things with their peers whilst learning empathy
towards others.
STL2C9: Understand children and young people’s play and leisure
STL2C9: Understand children and young people’s play and leisure
1.2 Identify 2 extracurricular activities available in your school setting.
Activity Content of session What are the aims of the session
Having children play against Promote physical health.
Sports each other and to learn Have children from different year
different sports techniques. groups to mix and make friends.
Challenge them to be more
competitive.
Discover new talents and
promote skills.
. Encourage children to explore
Arts and Involves making different with different material, colours
crafts things with their own hands. and textures.
Painting and drawing . Be creative and competitive
. encourages interaction with
others
.Discover new hobbies
STL2C9: Understand children and young people’s play and leisure
STL2C9: Understand children and young people’s play and leisure
1.3 Describe how play and leisure contribute to children and young people’s
development and sense of being well.
1.4
Playtime helps with cognitive development. Their brains develop and they get
encouraged to practice what they see and in the world around them. Their
imagination and creativity grow developing their decision and problem-solving
skills.
As they interact with others, their language and communication skills also develop.
Their use of vocabulary improves as they learn from their peers. It encourages
imaginative situations and how it can be applied to everyday life.
Leisure time enables co-ordination, strengthens them physically and helps them to
stay active, absorb natural vitamins (sunny days) and fresh air.
Children make friends and grow their social circle through play. They build
relationships, teaches negotiation and suggestion skills.
Being with others teaches them how to work as part of a team, put their views
across and build their independence, improves confidence whilst supporting their
mental health.
STL2C9: Understand children and young people’s play and leisure
1.5
1.6 Outline the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in
relation to relaxation and play
It came into force in September 1990, The UN Convention on The Rights of The
Child is an international human rights treaty signed by all 192 UN member
countries apart from the United States of America. It mainly safeguards children
and puts in place laws to children’s legal rights. Amongst other children’s freedom
and rights, this convention addresses one of the fundamental elements that is
usually ignored but is at the heart of every child in the world; the right to play.
Article 31 of the convention states ‘that every child has the right to rest and leisure,
to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and
participate freely in cultural life and the arts’
‘That member governments shall respect and promote the right of the child to
participate fully in cultural and artistic life and shall encourage the provision of
appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure
activity’
STL2C9: Understand children and young people’s play and leisure
