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Power of play explored

Experts to discuss bubble wrapped kids
Power of play explored
  • Unwrapping Bubble Wrapped Kids: The Power of Play, presented by North Vancouver Recreation Culture, Monday, May 4, 7 p.m. at North Vancouver's Centennial Theatre. Registration, $5, phone 604-987-7529 or visit nvrc.ca and quote code 346256.

Community members interested in learning more about the importance of play to children's growth and development are encouraged to attend an event being presented by representatives of North Vancouver Recreation Culture, tomorrow night at Centennial Theatre.

Unwrapping Bubble Wrapped Kids: The Power of Play, will feature a keynote presentation by special guest Tim Gill, described as one of the United Kingdom's leading thinkers on childhood, and an advocate for positive change in children's everyday lives (rethinkingchildhood.com).

Gill's presentation will be followed by a panel discussion focused on the topic of risky play, and potential means of enhancing kids' play opportunities.

Panel member and developmental psychologist Mariana Brussoni, an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Pediatrics and the School of Population and Public Health, is looking forward to engaging with Gill, who has long been writing about the importance of risky play for children.

"He has actually done a lot of really important work in England that has led to changes in the way that they approach playground safety and risk management. And so it's a great opportunity to have someone like that come here and for us to be able to hear from him, and learn from him, and share what we've been up to," says Brussoni, who also is a scientist with both the Child Family Research Institute and the B.C. Injury Research Prevention Unit.

Brussoni plans to offer insight into what is being done in Canada and more locally in the area of risky play.

"When we talk about play, what we mean is something that is selfdirected and self-motivated by the child," she says, in contrast to when they go to hockey or soccer where activity is directed by a coach or some other individual. "It's really the child deciding and negotiating amongst other children. .. how they're going to play and what they're going to do," she says.

Risky play is defined as, "play where there is a risk of physical injury," and has been divided into six categories of play with regard to height (i.e. climbing trees), speed (running fast), dangerous tools, dangerous elements (water), chance of getting lost, and play fighting.

"I've been in injury prevention for a long time and we've done some really important and amazing things for keeping kids safe and actually injuries are the leading cause of death for children and youth and a major source of hospitalizations. But what I'm suggesting is that when it comes to children's play, we may have gone too far in terms of trying to stamp out risky play without thinking about the possible consequences for children's health and development from doing that," says Brussoni.

The panel will be rounded out by VCH medical health officer Dr. Mark Lysyshyn and the discussion will be moderated by the recreation commission's director of recreation and culture Heather Turner.

The evening will close with a question and answer session.