The NSW Children's Week Council Requests the pleasure of your company!

Children’s Week is a special time each year when the rights of children are showcased and celebrated across Australia. Each year the theme is based on an article in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This year, 2023, the theme is Children have the right to relax, play and take part in activities they enjoy. The theme is based on on Article 31.

In honouring the theme we invite you to join us online for a free event featuring a presentation from Dr Shirley Wyver with an introduction from the NSW Children's Week Ambassador and NSW Advocate for Children, Ms Zoe Robinson and and concluding with a address by The Hon. Kate Washington, Minister for Families and Communities.

Children’s right to (sustainable and risky) play

Recognition of the right to play underpins provision of opportunities for children to participate in activities that optimise their health, development and quality of life. Contemporary play contexts range from highly commercialised and adult-specified through to unstructured, child-initiated and allowing children to engage with broader cultural life. This presentation will examine global trends in understanding play, including the emerging emphasis on risky play, play in nature and loose parts play. Evidence from research which includes children's voice will be emphasised. Consideration will also be given to conflicting messages about adult duty of care and the impact on rights of children to play. Play contexts to be considered include sub/urban environments, schools and early education and care services.

Shirley Wyver is Senior Lecturer in Child Development from the Macquarie School of Education, Macquarie University, Australia. She is a Chief Investigator on the Sydney Playground Project which examines use of loose parts play and risk-reframing on school playgrounds. Her work also examines the role of pretend play in cognitive development. Shirley has published her work in more than 100 journal articles and book chapters.

Contact the host of NSW Children's Week Oration