Play@Home
**The latest play@home activity sheets can now be downloaded from the NHS Health Scotland website.**
The Background
Play@Home originated in New Zealand in 1990
and is a physical activity programme for children from birth to five years. Presented as a series of books for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, the programme provides resources for parents to help them support their children to participate in physical activity to:
- achieve developmental milestones
- improve cognitive development
- achieve strong family bonds
- raise awareness of the importance of participating in regular physical activity through fun to do activities
Play@Home - Raising Awareness
In 2008, the Scottish Government funded the roll out of Play@Home across the whole of Scotland. CALA has been a member of the Play@Home Advisory Group since 2002 and has delivered promotional support since 2008, jointly funded by NHS Highland/Highland Council.
During February and March 2010 a total of 208 adults and 244 children participated in Play@Home practical workshops run by CALA. Activities included baby massage, messy food play, tunnels and torches, songs and rhymes, making gloop and obstacle courses.
Access CALA's Report for the Play@Home Project 2011
The Play@Home Books:
- Play@Home Baby
- Play@Home Toddler
- Play@Home Pre-school
Each book introduces play activities and ideas which will contribute to each stage of the child’s development and promote parents and carers as the children’s first and most important teachers. Books are provided FREE of charge for all parents with children under 5 years.
Play@Home Book Distribution
- Baby books are provided by your Health Visitor
- Toddler Books are posted to families by the Childcare and Early Education Service, usually within 6 weeks of your child's first birthday
- Pre-school Books are handed out via Pre-school providers
The series of books is also available to borrow from your local library
Play@Home Gaelic & Polish Resources
Gaelic resources:
- Play@Home Baby Book (additional Gaelic songs & rhymes added)
- Play@Home Toddler Book (launched 2008)
- Pre–school booklet of Gaelic songs & rhymes
- 'Cluich Comhla' - CD of Gaelic songs & rhymes sung by children from Acharacle Primary School (downloadable from Gaelic4Parents)
Polish resources:
- Play@Home Toddler Cards, Rhymes & Songs
For further information please contact the CALA Inverness office.
Play@Home Feedback
'Play@Home books are a treasure trove of activities for various stages of early childhood.'
'Thank you for doing this, I wouldn’t have thought of doing this at home, but will try it now!'
'The singing at the end was great, I didn’t realise all those songs were at the back of the Play@Home book.'
'The tunnelling with torches and hats was a brilliant idea. My older children would love that too, something they can all do together.'
'He absolutely loves the gloop. I’m going to have to buy cornflour on the way home, I didn’t realise that was all it was!'