It IS rocket science – children learn through play

PRESS RELEASE
WELLINGTON PLAYCENTRE ASSOCIATION

For Release Tuesday March 18 2008

It IS rocket science – how children learn through play

A Wellington Playcentre Association exhibition titled It IS rocket science – how children learn through play will be launched at the Museum of Wellington today.

The exhibition celebrates 60 years of Playcentre in New Zealand, and its launch is one of many activities being held to celebrate Playcentre Awareness Week throughout the region. “We’d love all parents and carers of young children to come along and see it,” said Jenny Brown, Co-President of Wellington Playcentre Association.

The exhibition explores the role of play in “switching on the brain,” the many types of play a child needs to engage in, and the crucial role of adults in supporting and extending a child’s learning through play.

“Play is children’s work, and we wanted to share our stories of working with our children at Playcentre sharing in and extending their learning, whilst learning a huge amount ourselves,” said Jenny Brown.

“Our children’s experience in their early years from infancy to about age 7 plays a crucial role in determining their long term social, intellectual and physical development,” said Jenny Brown. “How a parent and other adults interact with the child during that period is enormously important,” said Jenny Brown. “We hope this exhibition will both inform and inspire parents and carers and help them understand children’s play a little differently.

“Playcentres in the Wellington region have been providing parent education and support to their families as part and parcel of our children’s education for more than sixty five years now. Thanks to the wonderful help of our sponsors, Resene Paints Ltd and the New World New Babies Club, and the backing of the Museum of Wellington, the exhibition is a chance for us to share some of that wonderful experience and learning with others,” said Jenny Brown.

The exhibition was designed and produced for Wellington Playcentre Association, Station Creative (graphics) and Anderson Design (installation & project management).

This colourful and informative exhibition runs from March 18 to June 30 at the Museum of Wellington over the period of the sixtieth birthday of the national body, the New Zealand Playcentre Federation. The Museum is open every day 10.00 – 5.00pm. Admission is free

ENDS

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