On Saturday, 14th September, the Play Matters Collective hosted a Play Summit at The Boulevard Centre in Floreat. I am deeply proud—not only of the remarkable group of professionals, researchers, and advocates who gathered—but also of the most important voices of the day: the children. Their words and perspectives reminded us why play matters now more than ever.
Why Play Matters
The Summit was framed with the Player Matters Collective’s simple, yet powerful premise: Play Matters to everyone—from the youngest child to the oldest adult, across all settings and circumstances. The Play Matters Collective is a group of organisations and individuals passionate about ensuring the right to play is upheld for all children and young people across Western Australia. The question we posed was not just how we play but why we play, and why we must protect the right to this vital experience.
Throughout the day, we explored this from different angles—whether through academic research, program showcases, or personal stories. No matter the angle, the conclusion was the same: Play is fundamental. It’s crucial to well-being, growth, and the healthy development of every child. As outlined in Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, play is a human right, and it is up to us to ensure that this right is realised for all children—particularly those who may otherwise be denied the opportunity.
The Play Matters Collective believes that play is essential across all domains of development—physical, social, emotional, creative, cognitive, language, and cultural. When children engage in self-directed, freely chosen play, they are not just having fun; they are learning, developing resilience, and cultivating the skills they will carry throughout their lives. Our collective’s ambition is to elevate the status of play within Western Australia and work towards the creation of a WA Play Strategy, ensuring all children, regardless of background or ability, can access rich play opportunities.
The day was honoured by the presence of Commissioner for Children and Young People, Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, patron of the Play Matters Collective, and Hon. Sabine Winton MLA, Minister for Early Childhood Education. They both delivered inspiring addresses, underscoring their support of play advocacy across Western Australia. Commissioner McGowan-Jones highlighted our collective responsibility to protect and promote children’s rights, particularly their right to play. Minister Winton expressed a commitment to fostering environments that enable every child to thrive through play.
A Day of Engagement and Reflection
The Summit opened with a keynote panel titled “Play Matters – Listening to Children’s Voices,” which I had the privilege of facilitating alongside Jayne Kaiko. We welcomed a panel of eight young people, aged between 12 and 17, who shared their thoughts on what play means to them and how adults can better support their play. From the outset, their insights were profound, reminding us that adults often forget the simple, joyous essence of play.
One child on the panel said, “Play is when you come up with an idea and you can make the idea come to life.” Another added, “I want to use my imagination more than follow the rules.” These statements remind us of the freedom and creativity at the heart of true play—attributes that are often lost in structured, adult-directed activities.
What struck me most during this session was the repeated call for adults to “loosen up.” Children spoke of the pressure they feel in schools and at home, the rules and expectations placed upon them, and how, more often than not, play is something they’re told to do rather than something they choose to do. They spoke about their desire to play on their own terms, to engage in activities that ignite their curiosity and allow them to explore the world without adult-imposed boundaries.
This panel reinforced what we, as advocates for play, already know but can sometimes forget in the hustle of life: play is not about meeting expectations, completing tasks, or fitting into a curriculum. Play is freedom. It is the space where children learn to take risks, build confidence, solve problems, and, most importantly, be themselves.
The Many Faces of Play
Following the keynote panel, we dove into the World Café workshop, where participants explored “The Many Faces of Play.” Facilitated by Marie Martin, this session was an interactive exploration of different play modalities and their importance in children’s lives. We delved into theories guiding our understanding of play, from loose parts play to risky play, and the cultural contexts that shape how different communities engage with play.
What became clear during this workshop was that play is not one-dimensional. It is a kaleidoscope of experiences, expressions, and opportunities for growth. Whether it’s schema play, where children repeat patterns and behaviours to make sense of the world, or nature play, where the natural environment becomes the playground, the essence of play lies in its diversity.
We also touched on more complex topics such as play sufficiency—the idea that all children should have enough time, space, and permission to play—and the accessibility of play in both school and community settings. These discussions highlighted the need for advocacy, particularly for marginalised groups who may struggle to access play in their daily lives. This includes children living in poverty, those with disabilities, and children from Indigenous and minority backgrounds.
As we discussed these topics, I was reminded again of the importance of protecting the right to play for all children, particularly those who face systemic barriers. Play is a universal experience, but access to it is not always equitable. Part of our role as advocates is to ensure that every child, regardless of circumstance, can engage in rich, meaningful play.
Listening to the Experts: The Children
The real highlight of the day, however, came from the children themselves. From the very first moment, it was clear that their voices were not just an addition to the conversation—they were the heart of it.
As one child poignantly said, “We don’t feel heard.” Despite our best intentions, how often do we truly listen to children when they tell us what they need? The children spoke about the pressures they face in school and how the structured nature of their lives often leaves little room for spontaneous, joyful play. One participant shared, “Don’t make our playtime work.” Another added, “I don’t want to be an adult” which is a sentiment that is more than just not wanting to grow up!
These statements reminded us that play is not just a fleeting, inconsequential activity. For children, play is their way of engaging with the world, making sense of their experiences, and finding joy. When we undervalue play, we risk depriving them of one of the most fundamental aspects of their childhood.
A Call to Action
Throughout the day, we invited Summit participants to share their thoughts using the Mentimeter tool. We asked them three key questions:
- How does play matter to you?
- How do you play?
- What action will you take on Monday to advocate for play?
The responses were moving. Many participants reflected on how play is how we learn—not just children, but adults too. Others spoke of the need to give play more importance, acknowledging that without it, we are nothing. One participant wrote, “It helps me be in a world that tells me to ‘DO’ rather than ‘BE.’” Another called it “a key building block of life and childhood development.”
These reflections remind us that play is not just for children. As adults, we too need to make space for play in our lives. Whether it’s through the work we do or the way we engage with the world, play is an essential part of who we are. Adults and teens need play too.
As the day came to a close, we gathered for a final networking session, with a presentation by Marketa Reeves on the Australian Child & Youth Wellbeing Atlas. This project underscores the importance of data in understanding and promoting the well-being of children across Australia, providing us with invaluable insights into how we can support children’s rights, including their right to play.
Moving Forward: Standing Up for the Right to Play
The 2024 Play Matters Collective Summit was more than just a day of conversation—it was a call to action. As we head back to our respective organisations, schools, and communities, we must continue to advocate for play at every level. Whether it’s through policy development, curriculum design, or community programs, we must ensure that play remains a priority in the lives of all children and young people.
Play is a trillion different things (as one of our Keynote children stated) but at its core, it is the essence of being human. It is how we grow, connect, and make sense of the world. And as the children reminded us so eloquently, we owe it to them to make sure their right to play is protected.
Let us take this as a pledge—to listen to children’s voices, to loosen the structures that bind them, and to stand up for their right to play. Because at the end of the day, play truly does matter.
