As we look towards spring and summer there has been a call to encourage a "summer of play" for children to recover from the stress of lockdown.

Instead of extra lessons, catch-up summer schools and longer school days, they said children should be encouraged to spend the coming months outdoors, being physically active and having fun with their friends.

A group of academics calling themselves PlayFirstUK have emphasised the importance of play in the outdoors...

“As part of a wider recovery process, children should be encouraged and supported to spend time outdoors, playing with other children and being physically active. Where it is needed, evidence-based mental health support must be made available.”

The call by PlayFirstUK follows the appointment of a UK Government education recovery commissioner to develop the government’s efforts to address mounting learning loss among primary and secondary school children.

Read more