At Sydney Catholic Schools, play is recognised as an important part of educating the whole child, supporting students’ academic, social, emotional, physical and spiritual growth while helping them develop the confidence, resilience and skills needed to flourish.
From imaginative learning in the early years to sport, creative arts, collaborative problem-solving and outdoor experiences, play encourages curiosity, creativity, resilience and a sense of belonging.
Sydney Catholic Schools Specialist: Early Years (Pre K–Year 4), Curriculum and Innovation, Kim Moroney says these experiences help students engage with the world around them while fostering the relationships and wellbeing that underpin successful learning.
“The science is clear: in just 30 minutes of play, one third of the neurons in a child’s brain are changed,” she said.
“Play literally grows brains, and it builds the resilience, creativity, empathy and physical health that children carry with them for life.”
Under Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Australia ratified more than 35 years ago, every child has the right to play, rest and leisure. Yet according to Play Australia, one in three children is not getting the play they need, with childhood increasingly shaped by overcrowded schedules, screen time and shrinking spaces.
Reflecting on the theme Protect play, protect childhood for this year’s International Day of Play, Ms Moroney said beyond its benefits, play holds a deeper truth: it is a right, and it is an expression of freedom.
“Every moment of play is filled with meaning. It shapes learning and development, sparks creativity and strengthens wellbeing,” she said.
“In play, children are authors of their own stories, free to explore, invent and connect. When we protect play, we protect a future where childhood is honoured, valued and full of possibility.”
By protecting play, Sydney Catholic Schools helps protect childhood, reflecting our enduring commitment to nurturing every student in body, mind and spirit.
