Not many South Africans are aware children have the right to play.
Ahead of World Play Day on Saturday, the Toy Library Association SA said the biggest challenge with play in SA is the lack of awareness around its importance.
This year, after the lives of children were turned upside down by the Covid-19 pandemic for two years, the theme for World Play Day is “Rediscover play, recover through play” as people have stopped playing, social interaction has been limited, and stress and anxiety are common.
“Not many people know children have the right to play, and that through play, other rights such as the right to education, health and belonging can be realised. When people view play as having little value, they prioritise other activities over play. For example, we see very little thought put into play spaces when new communities are planned, leading to environments that are unsafe and hazardous to play in and virtually no play spaces people with disabilities can access.
Children might be enrolled in structured extramural activities, leaving no time for free play. We know girls especially and children from poorer households have less time to play due to household and caregiving chores. These all threaten their right to play
— Toy Library Association SA chairperson Annika Savage
“Children might be enrolled in structured extramural activities, leaving no time for free play. We know girls especially and children from poorer households have less time to play due to household and caregiving chores. These all threaten their right to play,” said association chairperson Annika Savage.
The biggest challenge in terms of toys is that few SA children have access to toys of their own.
“This is where toy libraries come in. Not only do children get the opportunity to play with a range of play materials, toys and resources at the play session, but they also get to take some home to continue playing.
“Toy librarians offer training to caregivers and older children to make toys from waste, free and found materials. This remains one of our most sought-after workshops. Often a workshop like this sparks someone’s creativity. Once they see potential in everyday objects, the possibilities for play are endless,” Savage said.
The association advocates for toy libraries on a national level and provides toy library-related training and resources that toy librarians can use daily.
“Toy libraries, both fixed and mobile, serve rural and urban communities around the country. While some are fixed, such as a converted shipping container, and serving a specific community, others are mobile, such as converted vehicles that service more than one community.
“Both types of toy libraries have pros and cons. While mobile toy libraries can reach those very far from other services, they usually serve many different communities, meaning they see their beneficiaries once or twice a month. The mobile nature of the toy library also means less stock can be transported than, for example, [is found in] a fixed toy library.
“Fixed toy libraries require people to come to them, but this means the service is mostly available daily and the toy library space can be used as a hub for other community events. Often the toy librarian of a fixed toy library also offers mobile services where they spend one day a week going to the most distant areas in their community to play and exchange toys,” said Savage.
The association’s membership includes 48 toy libraries across eight provinces and serving close to 35,000 beneficiaries.
“The toys in a toy library depend on the target beneficiaries. While most toy libraries in SA serve children under the age of six, we also have toy libraries servicing primary and high school children, adults, the elderly and people with disabilities.
“Toys are specifically chosen to appeal to and stimulate the beneficiary profile, but are generally a mixture of open-ended, versatile and heavy duty toys that can be used for structured and unstructured play opportunities. Some of our most common toys include balls, blocks, beads, puzzles, books and hula hoops.”
Savage said while the association could say a toy library in every community would solve the problem, the issues relating to play lie far deeper.
“We believe play advocacy must be at the heart of addressing the challenges. As play advocates we should be holding government, politicians and organisations accountable to implement the existing policies.
“A toy library in each community will activate play advocates at a grassroots level by providing training and play resources to community members and functioning as a community hub. But we also need larger, national play-focused organisations to stand together to amplify our voices and ensure everyone has the opportunity to play.”
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