Dr. Amanda Gummer, leading child development expert, specialising in toys, parenting and play, launches Couch to 5Play, a simple and accessible initiative to inject that playful feeling into everyday activities, nurture children’s imaginations and boost the mental health of all the family.
2020 has been a turbulent year for many families. Following the impact of lockdown and closure of schools on mental health, Dr Amanda Gummer wants to inspire the nation to be more playful, so that more families can benefit from the fun and laughter play can bring.
Dr Gummer, founder of Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide comments: “We have found, especially recently, that parents are concerned that they do not play or engage enough with their children, often because they simply don’t have the energy left at the end of the day, or simply don’t know how. Parents are perhaps more aware than ever of their work-life balance, as lockdown has given them a chance to spend more quality time with their children”.
While family life may have changed dramatically over the last year, many parents are still stressed and time-poor. With the added pressure of working from home and financial struggles as a result of furloughing and job losses, parents continue to be on the lookout for easy and low-cost ways to play more with their children.
The five-week play planner has not only been designed as a life hack for busy parents navigating the demands we are all currently facing, but to also strengthen family bonds, reduce passive screen time and create lasting memories through simple ideas, at a time when we all want to prioritise those positive relationships.
The Couch to 5Play Planner features 25 quick and easy play ideas to try at home, outdoors, or on the go. The activities have been created to meet busy parents and tech-loving children where they are and guide them step-by-step towards more active, social, imaginative playtime. Research suggests that this type of play is good for positive wellbeing as it can reduce stress, encourage exercise, and promote closer family bonds.
The launch of Couch to 5Play will be celebrated at the Good Play Guide’s ‘Play At Home Fest’ on Saturday 29th August. A family-friendly festival, live-streaming performances from the UK’s favourite brands and entertainers, connecting and moving through play. With headline shows from Nick Jr., Bing and Aardman’s Shaun The Sheep, there has never been a better time to make the world more playful.
https://playathomefest.com/couch-to-5play/
Notes to editors:
Dr Amanda Gummer
Research Psychologist Amanda Gummer is widely considered the go to expert on play, parenting and child development combining theoretical knowledge with a refreshingly pragmatic to family life. Her book ‘Play’ was published in 2015 and has been translated into two languages with extracts published in the USA’s Toy Industry Association’s Genius of Play initiative, for which she is an expert ambassador.
Regularly in the media she continues to take an active role in research and is often involved in government policy around children’s issues, as a member of two child-focused All Party Parliamentary Groups.
About Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide
Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide https://www.goodplayguide.com/ is the UK’s leading source of expert, independent advice on play and child development, offering a range of services to support children’s industries. Founded by child psychologist, Dr Amanda Gummer, the company is also the home of the Good Toy Guide and Good App Guide and virtual festival www.playathomefest.com .
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