The importance of play for pre-school children
Childhood is all about play. Kids, especially those that aren’t old enough to attend school yet, will find some way to play from the moment they get up in the morning until they lay their...Read more
Exploring the latest trends for outdoor play structures
As children grow up, they need many things they wouldn’t consider on their own. They need to face challenges to help them develop social and interactive skills, as well as book smarts and the ability...Read more
Bringing play-based learning to refugee children
On Wednesday the LEGO Foundation announced it’s $100 million grant to ensure that young children affected by the Rohingya and Syrian crises are able to learn through play. The recipient of the grant, Sesame Workshop, will work...Read more
A community effort to redesign a school playground
Daniela Gaspoz is a mother of four kids and an urban planner. In this article, for Child in the City, she reflects on her initiative and journey as a parent counselor to help transform her...Read more
Unconventional playgrounds develop creativity in children
Extraordinary playground ideas bring out the creativity in children. That is the opinion of Adelina Benson. In this article, she gives a brief overview of the different types of playgrounds and the benefits they provide. Children...Read more
Inclusive play design: why, how and who
Sarah Lisiecki has studied play professionally for more than five years. In this article, she details how Embrace Park in the city of Norfolk created a space for all children and brought a community together. “The value...Read more
Why play is important in urban development
It is time that we put children at the center of urban planning. That is the opinion of Kirti Zala, Project Head of aProCh a community based initiative in the city of Ahmedabad. In this article, Kirti...Read more
CiTC 2018: Child-friendly planning – parallel session report
How can we ensure child-friendly planning is a reality? It’s a question which gave real food for thought as the first parallel session in the Feestsaal hall at Child in the City World Conference 2018. A...Read more
Robinson Island – a very special playground
During the Child in the City World Conference in Vienna, there were a number of interesting field trips to child-friendly places across the city. In this article, Simon Walter who was the tour guide recounts...Read more
Child in the City: Risk, consultation and the future
Robin Sutcliffe the founder and chair of Sutcliffe Play shares his reflections on the 2018 edition of the Child in the City World Conference. At the opening session of Child in the City (CitC) we were told...Read more
‘Children belong in the suburbs’: with more families in apartments, such attitudes are changing
What is it that most influences where families make a home? Questions around affordability, children’s facilities and lifestyles all play a part in the decision-making process. It’s also an issue which this month’s Child in...Read more
Playable cities: a model and a toolkit
We need a new approach to public spaces if we really want to stimulate outdoor play for kids. This approach doesn’t start with picking some elements from catalogues of play equipment companies. We should start...Read more
Why playtime is an essential part of childhood development
Children’s lives are overscheduled now more than ever before and all those activities are taking a bite out of their free playtime. By shortchanging playtime, children miss out on emotional, social, physical, and cognitive benefits. In some...Read more
A perfect play space for children and…chickens
‘Never work with children or animals’, said the legendary WC Fields. Tongue-in-cheek he may have been, but clearly it is not a philosophy shared by those who champion the benefits for children of city farms. From...Read more