Actress, radio presenter and celebrity mum, Gemma Atkinson and her three year old daughter Mia, have highlighted the launch of new resources as part of the Creating Happy Memories campaign, a family-focused initiative from Family Action supported by Fisher-Price.
The campaign is aimed at inspiring parents and caregivers with easy-to-do, accessible ways to play with their children over the summer, with resources that will help to create fun and memorable moments while also helping with their child’s development and boosting their own confidence to play.
The play activities being hosted on the Family Action website for parents to access are junk modelling, mud and sand, nature play and food play. There are also blog posts discussing any barriers to play that parents may feel, to help them overcome these and show how easy it can be to play and the benefits of play for parents too. This includes how to make time for play, how to set up an environment for play, being comfortable with risk and how to ‘let go’ and play as an adult.
The resources for the Creating Happy Memories campaign are a continuation of the year-long partnership between Fisher-Price and Family Action, which was launched earlier this year to help support families with early childhood development.
In a video recorded at their family home, Gemma and Mia are shown trying out junk modelling, with them both rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in to build a rocket ship and elephant, both made out of unwanted items that would have otherwise gone into the recycling bin.
“Research has shown that play equals learning in the early years, and learning is boosted when children play with others, especially a caregiver,” commented Lisa Lohiser, early childhood development expert at the Fisher-Price Play Lab. “Through purposeful play you can help your child learn new things and reach their highest potential while bonding with them – there is no right or wrong way to play – being present engaging with your child you can’t go wrong, no matter what kind of play they are engaging in they are growing.”
Gemma added: “I still remember the games that my parents played with me, and I want Mia to have those memories of us playing together too. That’s why I am so proud to partnering with Fisher-Price Play Lab on their collaboration with Family Action for the Creating Happy Memories campaign.
“It’s massively important to play with our children and this campaign gives lots of lovely inspiration and tips for doing this over the summer with low-cost activities that are really fun and packed full of learning opportunities for the little ones.”
