Play and Health in Childhood

""Whitaker and Tonkin present a comprehensive and compelling argument from a human rights perspective for the correlation between play and health. Play is definitively elevated from the still prevalent but archaic perception that it’s a nice to have to recognition that it is integral to all aspects of life- at home, in school, in healthcare- for children to become everything they are capable of being. The authors call upon the healthcare sector to engage in ""rebel thinking"" to realise and act upon play as the very resource that is required as a solution to some of the public health challenges of the 21st Century. In calling for the right to play to be understood, respected and engaged with, they assert that children would be allowed to play their part in their own childhoods and systems could be developed that serve their needs and perspectives rather than from an adult’s perception. We are left in no doubt that a child’s right to the highest attainable standard of health cannot be realized if they are not supported to engage in play."" Cathy Gilman, CEO, Starlight Children’s Foundation cathy.gilman@starlight.org.uk ""Written in an engaging format, this book is an impressive read for those wishing to understand both theory and practice in relation to play and the effect it has on a healthy childhood. It is ideal for those working in health, education, and the third sector, particularly for those who wish to advocate for a child’s right to play and their right to the best possible health. There is a clear focus on the ‘uniqueness of every child’, which is pleasing to note, with play being a major enabler for every child to be the best version of themselves, rather than a generic copy of each other."" Helen Forrest, Chief Executive, Children’s Health Scotland helen.forrest@childrenshealthscotland.org