A 2024 White Paper
Are We Brave Enough to Let Our Children Play?
Raising Singaporean Kids for a Better Tomorrow
Children and young people in Singapore are increasingly unhealthy and unhappy. They are growing up in an environment that is increasingly structured, sedentary, and disconnected from the fundamental joys of childhood. Rising screen time, reduced outdoor play, and overscheduled lives are taking a toll on their health and well-being.
The consequences are alarming — growing rates of myopia, obesity, and mental health disorders, with 1 in 10 teenagers facing mental health challenges rooted in early childhood. 15% of our preschool children are also spending over 21 hours a week on screens, often unsupervised.
Co-authored with the Singapore University of Social Sciences and Ask Teacher Sam, this white paper calls on parents, caregivers, educators, and communities to rethink the role of play in children's daily lives. Drawing from research across anthropology, cognitive science, education, philosophy, and psychology, it highlights the critical types of play experiences children are missing and offers simple, actionable steps to bring play back into homes, schools, and public spaces.
Play is not just a pastime — it is the foundation of learning, creativity, and resilience. If we want healthier, happier children, we must champion play as an essential part of growing up.
The question is: Are we brave enough to let our children play?
.png)
.png)
Many of the opportunities for children to play have been lost.
Our children remind us why play is important to them and their friends.
Recommendations
To enhance the quality of childhood in Singapore and foster a healthier nation, we must prioritise self-initiated play opportunities for children while engaging with them in our daily routines. By providing the time, space, and permission for free play, we empower children to explore, make decisions, and grow into responsible individuals, while remaining a secure base for their adventures and discoveries.
1. Foster independence and creativity
-
Give your child permission to play in his/her own self-initiated, creative ways as long as you know he/she is safe.
-
Observe your child’s play where possible without directing it, to understand their motivations and needs.
2. Engage in shared experiences
-
Play with your child when you can, as a co-player (equal partner).
-
Share with your child the games you used to play when you were growing up.
-
Let your child see you engage in a hobby that brings you joy.
3. Provide diverse play experiences
-
Promote a range of play experiences — from mindful and focused (e.g., jigsaw puzzles) to whole-body movement play; from slow and controlled actions to quick and reflexive moves; from physical play to playing with words and ideas.
-
Promote play that preserves culture and let your child enjoy some of the play activities you experienced in your own childhood.
4. Innovate with what you have
-
Play doesn’t need to cost a lot of money; utilise what you have. Together with your child, devise different ways to play with existing toys/game sets rather than always following the original instructions.
-
Bring simple items like a large cardboard box, hula-hoop, or ball to the playground to create new play contexts.
5. Incorporate play into everyday life
-
Play doesn’t need to take up a lot of time; be playful when you have a moment — at the bus stop, on the train, or while waiting for a meal. (Quick play ideas: ‘I spy’, ‘Paper, Scissors, Stone’, create a story, make up a riddle, play a reflex/reaction game.)
Children offer ideas on what we can do while waiting for a meal:
We're Keeping the Conversation Going!
Since the release of the white paper, we have seen a growing dialogue on various platforms, with more individuals and organisations sharing their thoughts on the significance of play in children's development and its role in fostering a thriving society. We are immensely grateful for their continued and generous contributions to this vital conversation for change.
If you would like to partner us or feature our white paper, please email us at share@playeum.com.
.png)
.png)
.png)
This white paper has been written by members of the early childhood education faculty at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, Playeum, and Samantha Tan (@askteachersam).
Infographic is created by Samantha Tan (@askteachersam).
Co-authored by
.png){kind=logo}
.png){kind=logo}
In support of
