🎉🎉🎉Ta da! Just take a moment to applaud the amazing work Joanne Michael has put into supporting & gathering all of those in the community of play in Leeds to pull this programme together. 🍍There are more than 70 happenings! 📚25 Little Free Library packs #LeedsPlayFest

Happy National Playday! In Leeds we have a huge community of playful spirits who are plotting a Festival of Play & Creativity for October Half Term. Here’s a little bit about it on the wonderful @LeedsInspired website leedsinspired.co.uk/blog/lee…

‘The importance of risky play (& the 17-second rule)’ - @ActiveForLife activeforlife.com/17-second-… Risky play is any type of play that is exciting and challenging, that might involve some risk-taking or chance of injury. It’s the type of play that tests a child’s limits and challenges ours (adults). When children push themselves during unstructured play to climb higher, run faster, or engage in other forms of risky play, they learn about their own limits (which makes their play safer in the long run!), how to problem-solve, and how to make decisions. They become more brave, more inquisitive, and more creative. And when they know they can push the limits of how they play, they tend to become less bored with the exhilaration of challenging themselves and overcoming their worries of “What might happen if . . .” When a child senses that their parent/caregiver is anxious, it sometimes makes them worried too. So how do we convey our confidence in children and give them the space and time to “figure it out?”. . . The 17-second rule. Instead of jumping in at the first sign of a child doing something that makes you worried during free play, step back. Breathe. Count to 17. And watch . . . 👀 In those 17 seconds, we’re giving children the chance to problem-solve and think about their next step. We’re also showing children that we are confident in them. The 17-second rule will grow our confidence in children and their confidence in themselves, which is a positive step forward for their well-being now and in the future. 🏫🚸🌿🍁🍂🪵 🚲 🛴 🛹🛼 🛝 🏃🏼‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏾👩‍🦽🚴🏿🚏🚶🏻🤸🏾‍♂️🤸🏼‍♂️🌳🏘️ #PlaySufficiency #FreePlay #RiskyPlay #PhysicalLiteracy #PhysicalActivity #Leisure #Sport #ActiveTravel #PlayStreet #SchoolStreets #StreetPlay #HomeZones #Playces #Splace #Playgrounds #Parks #FreerangeUrbanNeighbourhoods #FUN #KnowBallGames #UNCRC #Article31