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Paula Barrett is an adjunct professor at the University of Queensland, Australian National University and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, she is often a keynote at global conferences on child psychology and education.
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1 www.activekids.org.au
Dr Paula Barrett’s Tips to help parents and Children ‘Go Play’
Active Play is essential for children to develop social skills, imagination and creativity, as well
as strengthening the bond between child and parents. Recent research has shown that 90%
of parents and grandparents see playing to be essential for children’s development, yet it’s
gradually getting less. The MILO State of Play Study1 show that 45% of Australian children
don’t play every day.
The studies have shown the both adults and children all over Australian struggle with similar
barriers when it comes to play: Lack of time and inspiration and an overreliance on
technology 2Dr Paula Barrett, offers five simple tips on how to make games kids regularly
play more exciting:
1. Tell the kids to use a different piece of equipment than what is traditionally used for a
certain game and make their own rules. This could be as simple as using a tennis racquet
for a game of backyard cricket, shooting hoops with a handball or using a basketball for a
new version of handball.
2. Kids love playing in the dark so try one of the above games with head torches at night
time.
3. Take the games out of the setting kids are used to playing it in. The beach is usually a
favorite but also try going to a different local park than normal.
4. Create a new game by mixing old favorites two games together. For example a game of
backyard or park footy that includes soccer goals or a basketball hoop.
5. For those warmer days when kids are splashing about in the pool, paly a game of water
polo yet whilst riding inflatable toys. If you don’t have a water polo net, you can make up
a game as simple as keeping the ball in the air.
For more playing tips and ideas for children, to the Milo ‘State of Play’ website at
http://www.milo.com.au/play/state-of/
1 The MILO State of Play is an extensive study commissioned by the MILO Team to understand the views about
play and its role in ids’ lives across Australia. It was conducted by an independent research agency in November 2011 and included 1297 respondents including 330 grandparents, 733 parents and 334 children. MILO. (2012). State of Play. Viewed on Sept 6
th, 2012 viewed on 6 September 2012 at
http://www.milo.com.au/play/state-of/
2 MILO. (2012). Healthy Kids and Parents. Viewed on Sept 6
th, 2012. http://www.milo.com.au/play/healthy-
kids/
