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MEADOWBROOK High School in St Andrew hosted a ‘Day of Play’ for students last Friday as part of its Child Month activities.

The aim of the initiative, conceptualised by head of the Physical Education Department, Kalelia Dinnall and grade nine coordinator Shellyann Ebanks, was to get children active after being sedentary for almost two years.

“We recognise the importance of play in development. We have been at home and most of them are living sedentary lifestyles for the past two years, being at home, and so we wanted to give them the chance to move around a little bit more, get active and re-establish play as a normal part of their growth and development,” Ebanks said. “It was also our main Child Month activity and we just wanted to let them have a day to enjoy themselves, be themselves, and we hope to make it an annual event.”

Ebanks also said the Day of Play gave students the opportunity to interact with teachers in a more relaxed setting as teachers also changed clothing soas to teach the students traditional games.

“No video games were allowed. Apart from the dance-off and football competitions we had Chinese skip, potato race and other traditional games which we engaged them with and showed them how to play,” Ebanks said.

Ebanks also used the opportunity to thank sponsors including the New York Chapter of the Meadowbrook High Past Students’ Association, Ministry of Health through Jamaica Moves, Sagicor Foundation, National Health Fund, PriceSmart, and ezperssed gratitude for donations from teachers, parents, and other stakeholders.