The Play Report

10th January 2010

Background

Countries included in the research

The Research• 8,000 Internet‐based interviews were conducted

with parents (10 minutes‟ duration) and 3,116

interviews with children (4 to 5 mins)

during October and November 2009.

• In each country:

– c300 parents of 0‐12 year olds interviewed

– c100 children aged 7‐12 interviewed

–

In addition we spoke to IKEA FAMILY members world‐wide

What is play for?

What is play?

• Building

• Reading

• Role play

• Exercising

• Creating

• Thinking

• Dressing Up

• Cooking

What does play do?

Children spend much of their

time playing

Stages of Play

Free Play• Play doesn‟t have to be scheduled

• Children will always play in some form

• Free play comes naturally to children

“I think play is an essential and important part of the way a

child develops”

–93% of parents agreeing

What do children say about play?

What parents think about creative play

Children and creative play

56% of children said „I would like to spend

more time in the kitchen baking with mum or

dad‟

56% of children think watching TV or playing

computer games gives them ideas and helps

them to be creative

Social Interaction

The ability to form friendship has a direct

effect on children‟s wellbeing

Children‟s thoughts on social

interaction

Summary

• Play is good for children

• It is the way kids can explore and find out new

things

• Playing is great fun, and is a place where

imagination and creativity can flourish, and

emotions and feelings can be acted out

• Play can lead to mastering new skills, such as

balance, to walk or run

• Play allows children a means to build

relationships with peers and friends

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