Play is a fundamental children's right under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN, 1998) and is central to learning, wellbeing, creativity and participation. Despite this, accountability demands, policy pressures and attainment-focused agendas continue to constrain opportunities for meaningful, self-directed play in educational settings (Bradbury et al., 2025). This raises an important question: if play is a child's right, why is it so difficult to sus

A few years ago, just before the first Covid-19 lockdown, I was fortunate to be part of a small intergenerational project between a nursery school and a residential care home. Intergenerational practice is the bringing together of children and older people to create positive relationships and meaningful connections. Each week a small group of 3 year olds and nursery school staff would visit their ‘older friends’ at the care home. The visits usually lasted for 30 minutes and l

In September 2024 the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) announce the start of its landmark Playful Green Planet programme which is guided by the principles: For all children: accessible to every single child under 11 and to the early years, community and school settings that support them. Co-creation in place: led by local people and co-created with the strengths and needs of the community, educators and children at the heart.