A future for the world’s children? Play as the basis of a new paradigm for a world on fire

In this keynote lecture Professor Mark Tomlinson (Stellenbosch University) discusses the important role of play in building minds and brains in the future that are built for creativity, adaptation, collaboration, connectedness and resilience.

This presentation was recorded on 7th September 2023 as part of the PEDAL Play Conference, an event which brought together play researchers, policymakers, and practitioners spotlighting the benefits of play on mental health in the early years.

You can find out more about the 2023 conference and our speakers here.

New report: Play in the face of adversity

1 November 2023

Today, we published a new report on the importance of play for children in the asylum-seeking system, particularly those living in hotel-type accommodation. The report was commissioned by the office of the Scottish Children and Young People’s Commissioner to inform their new Human Rights Analysis Report on Placing Children in Hotel-Type Accommodation. The Children’s Commissioner’s report describes […]

Play in Hospital Week 2023

17 October 2023

During my years working as a paediatrician, I was always curious about how children experienced their illnesses and the hospital environment. I immersed myself in the field of medical anthropology, learning about cultural and social factors that shape those healthcare experiences, and I became very interested in chronically ill children. Eventually, without a clear plan, […]