Cardboard boxes lose out to video games and DVDs in battle for children's play
Vesela Gladicheva
Friday, April 13, 2012
Parents are suffering a 'play confidence crisis' and are letting gadgets take over, a new report into children's play has found.
The study, commissioned by Ribena Plus, reveals that, as a result of ever busy lives, two out of three parents feel they no longer have enough time to play with their children. Fifty-nine per cent of dads and 42 per cent of mums find they have less than five hours a week to play with their children.
With technology increasingly dominating our lives, it is hardly surprising the report reveals that only 32 per cent of children still play with household items (for example, pots and pans and cardboard boxes), while 70 per cent play on video games and 90 per cent watch DVDs.
Seventeen per cent of parents admit to buying toys and video games for their children to take the pressure off themselves. Ribena’s brand director, Verity Clifton, said, ‘There’s nothing wrong with watching TV with your child, but we feel it’s also important to encourage play.’
The study, which surveyed 2,000 parents across Britain, also shows that 92 per cent of parents believe imaginary play is important, but 16 per cent do not know how to create it with their child.
Play expert Adrian Voce, founder and former director of Play England, said, ‘All parents know the importance of the 3 Rs - reading, writing and arithmetic - but playing comes first and is even more vital. It is the main way children explore the world and their responses to it.’
The research also indicates that 30 per cent of parents ‘feel under pressure to be fun’. However, they are willing to change that, as nearly half of the questioned mums and dads say they welcome support with ideas on how to play with their child.
Parents’ lack of confidence is also reflected in the 28 per cent who ban rough and tumble play which risks kids getting ‘bumps and bruises’.
The Pre-school Alliance said that parents should not be afraid of taking part in their children’s play time.
Chief executive Neil Leitch, said, ‘With millions of people in Britain working longer hours than in most European countries, perhaps this anxiety is due in part to work pressures that mean some parents feel unable to set aside sufficient time for play and reading with their children.
‘Children love involving their parents in play, so it is more important that adults are willing to be included rather than feel the need to impose a structured regime.
‘We accept that many children do spend too much time in front of the television, but parents should not be made to feel guilty if occasionally they enjoy their child’s company, snuggled up on a comfy sofa at the end of a long hard day.’
The report coincides with the launch of Ribena Plus, a brand new range of no added sugar juice drinks.
To download Ribena’s fun and easy play ideas for parents, visit www.ribena.co.uk.
With technology increasingly dominating our lives, it is hardly surprising the report reveals that only 32 per cent of children still play with household items (for example, pots and pans and cardboard boxes), while 70 per cent play on video games and 90 per cent watch DVDs.
Seventeen per cent of parents admit to buying toys and video games for their children to take the pressure off themselves. Ribena’s brand director, Verity Clifton, said, ‘There’s nothing wrong with watching TV with your child, but we feel it’s also important to encourage play.’
The study, which surveyed 2,000 parents across Britain, also shows that 92 per cent of parents believe imaginary play is important, but 16 per cent do not know how to create it with their child.
Play expert Adrian Voce, founder and former director of Play England, said, ‘All parents know the importance of the 3 Rs - reading, writing and arithmetic - but playing comes first and is even more vital. It is the main way children explore the world and their responses to it.’
The research also indicates that 30 per cent of parents ‘feel under pressure to be fun’. However, they are willing to change that, as nearly half of the questioned mums and dads say they welcome support with ideas on how to play with their child.
Parents’ lack of confidence is also reflected in the 28 per cent who ban rough and tumble play which risks kids getting ‘bumps and bruises’.
The Pre-school Alliance said that parents should not be afraid of taking part in their children’s play time.
Chief executive Neil Leitch, said, ‘With millions of people in Britain working longer hours than in most European countries, perhaps this anxiety is due in part to work pressures that mean some parents feel unable to set aside sufficient time for play and reading with their children.
‘Children love involving their parents in play, so it is more important that adults are willing to be included rather than feel the need to impose a structured regime.
‘We accept that many children do spend too much time in front of the television, but parents should not be made to feel guilty if occasionally they enjoy their child’s company, snuggled up on a comfy sofa at the end of a long hard day.’
The report coincides with the launch of Ribena Plus, a brand new range of no added sugar juice drinks.
To download Ribena’s fun and easy play ideas for parents, visit www.ribena.co.uk.
