Play Daze will be celebrated at Trinity Oaks Retirement Community, 10-11:30 a.m., with activities for all ages, organized by Smart Start Rowan. The statewide days for play are today, Saturday and Sunday.
In addition to celebrating childrenís right to play, the NC Active Play Alliance is leading the statewide campaign to promote North Carolina Play Daze, Sept. 23, 24 and 25, the campaign to get more children physically active by participating in all forms of play at the community events being offered from the mountains to the ocean and in between.
The 2011 Play Daze is organized by the NC Active Play Alliance, part of the statewide early childhood non-profit program, Be Active Kids. The 2011 Play Daze is one of KaBoomís National Play Day events.
ěChildren need freedom and space to play in their own communities, and communities want that to happen. Many times there are safety issues, along with a lack of space or limited access so children are not able to enjoy free play, as their parents and grandparents once did. And thatís something weíre campaigning to change, said Nancy Goethe, Be Active Kids Early Childhood Specialist.
ěPlay Daze is an opportunity to get people talking about the issue, to get communities together to support childrenís play, and most of all to have a lot of fun in the process. Itís about protecting, preserving and promoting play as a fundamental right for all.î
North Carolinaís children rank 11th highest in obesity in the country. More than one-third of children do not get the one hour of daily physical activity they need to stay healthy. In addition to the significant health benefits, studies show that students who have both structured and unstructured play achieve stronger development physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.
To promote childhood health, Smart Start Rowan funds the following programs: Health Link and Healthy Beginnings. Health Link ensures that underserved families in Rowan County are aware of and connected with health and dental care, nutrition services, health and wellness education, family and parenting support, quality childcare, literacy and workforce development. Healthy Beginnings provides health care to uninsured or underinsured pregnant women and children up to 5 years old.