IN the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, emeritus professor of child health, child development and behaviour at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Maureen Samms-Vaughan, has underscored the importance of play as an essential intervention in supporting the well-being of children.

“High amounts of play are associated with low levels of cortisol, and children who play are more resilient to toxic stress and can better cope with adversity. We have seen the reduction in stress, the reduction in anxiety, and the development of resilience in adverse situations,” she emphasised.

“We need to ensure that children are playing — provide them with the play material and the resources because play reduces stress hormones. Play is an important aspect of addressing adversity,” she added.

Professor Samms-Vaughan was addressing educators, policymakers, researchers, and child advocates from the region at the recent Early Childhood Education Colloquium held at The UWI Regional Headquarters, Mona.

The event was hosted by JN Foundation in partnership with The UWI School of Education and Dudley Grant Early Childhood Resource Centre, under the theme, “Let’s shape tomorrow, together”.

Samms-Vaughan stressed that while play is vital for recovery, stabilising families and restarting schools, must also be a priority.

“We really need to provide good physical and mental health support and place children back in schools as soon as possible. UNICEF is providing tents to get children back together; that alone is going to improve their mental health because once children get together, they are going to start playing,” she said.

Highlighting the effects of disasters on children, Samms-Vaughan drew parallels with Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, in the United States in 2005, pointing to long-term research showing sustained impacts on children’s health and education.

“Children suffered the most intense and prolonged effects from the hurricane. One year later, parents were three times more likely to describe their children’s health as fair or poor. Two years later, children were four times more likely to be rated in fair or poor health.

“It took 10 years for mental health problems to return to an average level. Forty-three per cent of children had post-traumatic symptoms after one year. Four to five years later, 45 per cent of children still had psychological or emotional problems that were not there before. In terms of education, more than half the children had a drop in their grades,” said Samms-Vaughan.

She noted that children who were relocated quickly following Hurricane Katrina performed better in school than those who experienced prolonged displacement or were placed in schools far from their homes.

The respected developmental and behavioural paediatrician further stressed the impact of play on children’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being.

“Play has been shown to actually build the brain. It has direct and indirect effects on brain structure and functioning,” she said, adding that play supports learning, pro-social behaviour, and overall health.

Highlighting the physical benefits, she pointed out that outdoor play boosts healthy weight, agility, coordination, and immune function.

“As long as the play is just not in front of a screen and it’s outside, then you get impacts on health,” she pointed out.

Samms-Vaughan cautioned that children are not playing enough, and outlined factors limiting children’s access to play, including cultural attitudes, academic pressure, work-related time constraints among parents, and unsafe community environments.

“Play is not seen as important. How many of us have been told that we romp too much?” she asked.

Samms-Vaughan also noted the value families place on academics, which overshadows the significance of play.

“There’s an over focus on academic achievement. It’s really great that our parents want children to achieve, and we have to build on that expectation, but we also have to build in that play is still really important for children.”

She further shared that limited access to safe outdoor spaces also hinders children’s ability to play.

“Some children live in communities where parents tell you they keep them inside because it’s not safe,” she said, adding that more parks and community play areas are needed.

To remedy the situation, Samms-Vaughan urged stakeholders to ensure safe play spaces in communities, incorporate play in the curriculum of professionals working with children and families, strengthen parenting programmes, and ensure proper supervision and maintenance of facilities.

She encouraged stakeholders to recognise playful learning as an important complement to didactic instruction.

“Teachers need to be encouraged to play with children. We have a habit in Jamaica of early work. I would just love us to have early play too; that some days it’s early play rather than early work,” she said.

She also stressed that parents should play with their children and should incorporate both supervised and unstructured play into their children’s daily routines, noting that children benefit from having both.

Education specialist at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Jamaica Dr Rebecca Tortello interacts with children as she shares a playful moment with them. (Photo: JIS)