A volunteer from Think Playgrounds with a child at an outdoor park.(Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Professionals from Vietnam, France and Germanywill share their experiences and insights about risky play through a seminarheld in Hanoi on October 6.
The experts, parents, educators and architects will discuss “why risky play isimportant”.
Foreign panelists include Bianca Elgas, CEO of Kukuk Kultur, which develops,plans and builds Europe’s unique experience, play and outdoor spaces for peopleof all ages; and Sarah Kassler, co-owner of Sensomoto, an atelier that focuseson the benefits of interaction between people, public space and nature.
The professionals will share their hands-on experiences and insights aboutrisky play in their countries with modern educational theories.
“This seminar offers an opportunity for participants to get into a dialoguewith our guests on issues of life skills development, and more importantly,ways to engage children to develop in harmony and happiness,” said Nguyen TieuQuoc Dat, one of the panelists.
“Social and environmental factors are impacting children’s opportunities foroutdoor risky play, said Dat, co-founder of Think Playgrounds (TPG), anorganisation on a mission to create public spaces for children in Vietnam.
Children today spend more time watching television and playing indoors thanthey do being physically active outdoors. Parents are often too concerned abouttraffic, the threat of kidnapping and other dangers to allow their children toride bicycles, play outdoor games or explore outdoor areas.
“This safety-obsessed society will result in children who are less physicallyfit, have little control over motor skills, and are less able to manage risk,”he said.
The seminar will take place on October 6 at the Hanoi Goethe Institute, 56-58Nguyen Thai Hoc street.
Then the professionals will work with community in Dong Anh district on theoutskirts of Hanoi to design a risky playground on October 7.
This seminar is part of a series of events called the Play Campaign which aimis to build a dialogue with the community about the importance of playing forthe mental and personality development of Vietnamese children.
The programme is supported by Think Playgrounds, Live and Learn for Communityand Environment Centre, Ford Vietnam Company Limited, L’Espace, the GoetheInstitute and the Franco-German Cultural Fund.-VNS/VNA
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