Discovery Playground brings research to life
Youngsters enjoyed a day of creative activities and hands-on learning at Bradford’s Peel Park, where University of Bradford researchers shared insights from their work on children’s play, wellbeing and development.
‘Child’s Play: Discovery Playground’ saw youngsters aged between five and 14 take part in a host of interactive experiences designed to showcase research that impacts children’s and young people’s health and wellbeing.
Working alongside Play Bradford and Bradford Council’s Holiday Activities and Food programme (#HAF), University researchers engaged with children and families to highlight through playing how the University’s research supports health, wellbeing and development, reflecting the University’s commitment to delivering ideas that change lives and shape the world.
Children and young people have fun outdoors during ‘Child’s Play: Discovery Playground’ held in Peel Park, Bradford. Images credit: Kiran Mehta@KM Images/University of Bradford
The event, held on Tuesday 18 August, featured the chance for children to build and race toy cars, design positive pebbles, get messy in a mud kitchen and join in with the Wonky Olympics theatrical act.
Dr Anna Chalkley, Senior Research Fellow in school-based physical activity and knowledge exchange at the University of Bradford, said: “There are a number of ways to help children and young people of all ages spend less time on their screens and more time having fun and being active.
“Young children could take part in five muddy minutes. Take some pots, containers, spoons, water out into the yard or the garden and let them have fun in the dirt.
“For older children, take part in running and jumping races, throwing and an obstacle course.
“Teenagers are more likely to take part if you let them choose the activities, such as a family bike ride, picnic, or walk.”
Children and young people have fun outdoors during ‘Child’s Play: Discovery Playground’ held in Peel Park, Bradford. Images credit: Kiran Mehta@KM Images/University of Bradford
It Starts in Bradford
Researchers such as Dr Chalkley are working on issues that matter most, with their ideas shaping people’s lives, namely helping children and young people spend less time on screens and more time outside feeling healthier and happier.
The University is also delivering positive movement and exercise in all aspects of school life to more than 30,000 children through Creating Active Schools and creating a research centre to tackle mental health challenges in young people.
Young people’s mental health will feature in the next of the University’s 6 Decades Lecture series celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Children and young people have fun outdoors during ‘Child’s Play: Discovery Playground’ held in Peel Park, Bradford. Images credit: Kiran Mehta@KM Images/University of Bradford
‘Children and Young People’s Mental Health: Why Prevention Matters’, held on Wednesday 23 September, from 13:00 to 14:30 on campus and online, will see researchers from the NIHR-funded Bradford Mental Health Research Centre discuss the challenges facing young people’s mental health today, why prevention matters, and the role that families, schools, communities, and policy can play in supporting their wellbeing.
Go to the ‘Children and Young People’s Mental Health: Why Prevention Matters’ event page to book your place.
Clearing
Places are available on the University of Bradford’s BSc (Hons) Psychology and other programmes through Clearing. Bradford’s Clearing phone line – 0808 196 9129 – is open now and you can apply online.
Children and young people have fun outdoors during ‘Child’s Play: Discovery Playground’ held in Peel Park, Bradford. Images credit: Kiran Mehta@KM Images/University of Bradford