Investing in the Future of Children and Families

New Power of Play Campaign Highlights Children’s Development

Hazelwood Elementary in St. John’s hosted this year’s launch of the third annual Play and Learn Week (November 3-7). The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, was joined by students, staff and parents today for the announcement. Play and Learn Week is celebrated at primary schools throughout the province. This year’s theme is Early Literacy and Active Play.

“Play-based learning is about recognizing and encouraging a child’s natural curiosity and imagination. Incorporating learning into everyday play-based activities helps develop skills such as literacy and numeracy, self-esteem, a sense of belonging and a sense of self- worth. The new Department of Education and Early Childhood Development was created to put more focus on early learning and to provide the best possible start for our children. This campaign highlights that children learn valuable skills through everyday activities such as play, helping them succeed in school, and in life.”
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

Minister Sullivan also introduced the next phase of the Power of Play campaign, “All of Your Tomorrows Begin with Today”. The new campaign includes television, radio and print advertisements that highlight the importance of play and its positive effects on early childhood learning and development. Over $156,000 has been earmarked this year for books, CDs, multi-media resources and promotional activities related to Play and Learn Week and the Power of Play initiative.

“It is important for children to start the learning process before they go to school. Research shows that children who take part in play-based activities acquire skills to better prepare them for Kindergarten and the school years. I encourage parents and caregivers to be active participants in their children’s learning and take advantage of the resources offered through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Power of Play initiative.”
- John Dinn, MHA for Kilbride

As part of Phase II of the Provincial Government’s Early Learning Strategy, $35.4 million is allocated over three years to implement a universal, full-day Kindergarten program, beginning in September 2016, and to further enhance early learning opportunities. In addition to funding for full-day Kindergarten, at a cost of $30.6 million over three years, Phase II also includes $4.8 million over three years for the continuation of early learning initiatives aimed specifically at infants and toddlers.

For more information on the Power of Play campaign, and to view the new advertisements, visit: //www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/earlychildhood/power.html.

QUICK FACTS

• The third annual Play and Learn Week will take place from November 3 to 7 in primary schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Play and Learn Week highlights the importance of play to a child’s early development and learning, and provides resources to classrooms, parents and caregivers.
• This year, Play and Learn Week coincides with the launch of this fall’s Power of Play promotional campaign, which includes new advertisements.
• Since 2011, the Provincial Government has committed $39.7 million to the province’s Early Childhood Learning Strategy, Learning from the Start, including $35.4 million, announced this year, over three years, to implement a universal full-day Kindergarten program.
• Key topics related to the early years are available to parents, caregivers and early childhood learning professionals at: //www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/earlychildhood/index.html.

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2014 11 03                                                                                      10:25 a.m.