PLAY TIME IN AFRICA PROJECTA Survey of Dzorwulu Community, Accra

Survey on play patterns

• The survey was done in 6 days over a period of 4 weeks between 19th April to 27th May 2012

• It involved:• Interviews with children and adults

• Observation of activities by children

Aims

• To find out what both children and adults think about play – their ideas

• To enquire about current trends in play activities

• To observe activities of children in various play spaces

Views about importance of play

Why play? Play develops the mental abilities of children. A child who does not play may have mental inabilities Play creates fun . “All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy”. Play provides an avenue for kids to exercise their

bodies. Play teaches important skills that are useful in future

adult life It also provides avenues for learning

Popular games among kidsPolice and thiefFootballAmpeDraughtsRunning aroundskippingsee-saw swings

Interview with some children on some games they play

Some are restricted to computer games

Boys playing football

Adults could remember a number of traditional games children did not have good ideas of traditional games such as:

oware, antoakyire, Chaskele etc

Teen ActivitiesPopular activities seen among teens are chatting phone texting TV Social networking especially Facebooking

Play Spaces

Organized play for kids

Amusement park

Places for play in schools

Types of parks

Dzorwulu primary Awiase Park (beneath the Pylons)

Different types of home spaces

Children playing by the street

RESPONSES FROM CHILDREN ABOUT PLAYGROUND THE PROJECT

• Some expressed the desire to have a park with play equipments, and comfortable places to sit.

• Most kids went to some of their neighbors house to play especially those houses which had seesaw and swings.

• They suggested that a playground should be opened during vacations and on Saturdays from morning to evening and also suggested it should be free.

• Children also suggested the playgrounds should have foods such as Jollof, Banku, Rice and Stew, ice cream.

RESPONSES FROM PARENTS

• Showed interest since there is no facility except one private one

• While some showed interest in the introduction of traditional games, others thought that children might not be interested since their generation is interested in computer games.

• Some parents were of the opinion that some amount of supervision will be useful when children play at the faculty, that is older children should not be allowed to play with kids toys etc.

• A library faculty was also suggested so that children will not spend all their vacation time or Saturdays just playing when they visit the playground

• All adults and parents were of the view that some amount should be paid for maintenance and to pay guides although the amount should not be exorbitant.

• Some parents suggested guides in the playground to see to the welfare of children and also to prevent them for over using the facilities.

• Parents showed concern for the kind of food and drinks which would be provided for their kids and how safe they were for the children.

• Mostly, parents raised the issue of security, how were their kids playing, who they were playing with and how safe the environment in general was for them to leave their kids.

Summary

1. Although there are designated places for play, accessibility is limited because of the following:– Lack of play equipment– Competition for space with adults– Commercial/affordability– Accessibility to school playgrounds are limited to

school hours

2. Children will play in whatever space they find available

3. As much as parents agree on the importance of play for children, the idea of play is not associated with learning

4. Lack of structured play for young adults accounts for their lack of interest in play. As children grow older play activities involves the use of physical energy hence play needs to be more structured.

5. Media and Technology also contribute to the demise in play activities among children.

6. 7. When spaces are not created for play it could lead to restricted

THANK YOU.

Survey conducted by:

Naa Dodua DarkuAbena KyereAfrakomah Boakye Ansah