1.3 Explain General comment No. 17 and its importance to playwork

This guide will help you answer 1.3 Explain General comment No. 17 and its importance to playwork.

The United Nations General Comment No. 17 (2013) explains the significance of Article 31 from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Article 31 focuses on the child’s right to rest, leisure, play, participation in recreational activities, and access to arts and culture. The General Comment was introduced by the Committee on the Rights of the Child to provide detailed guidance so governments and organisations could better understand their responsibilities in supporting this right.

For playworkers, General Comment No. 17 is directly relevant because it reinforces the value of play as an essential part of healthy childhood development. It also provides a framework for overcoming challenges to implementing Article 31 in practice.

What General Comment No. 17 Says

General Comment No. 17 explains that play and leisure are key to children’s overall development. It highlights four main points:

1. The importance of play and leisure for children.
2. The barriers preventing children from exercising their right to play.
3. The role of governments, organisations, and individuals in ensuring this right.
4. Guidance on how to create environments that fulfil Article 31.

The Committee mentions that play is not just a fun activity. It is vital for physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. By identifying barriers and outlining steps to address them, the General Comment recognises how children’s right to play must be protected and supported everywhere.

The Importance of Play According to General Comment No. 17

General Comment No. 17 stresses that play is fundamental to childhood. It allows children to:

• Express creativity and imagination.
• Develop problem-solving skills.
• Build social connections and empathy.
• Gain confidence and discover their own unique talents.
• Practice risk-taking in safe environments, which helps build resilience.

For playworkers, this emphasises the need to treat play as more than entertainment. Every play activity is a chance to help children learn, grow, and communicate. Play enables children to make sense of the world around them, experiment with new ideas, and interact with others.

Example: Through an imaginative role-play game, children can learn cooperation, storytelling skills, and how to resolve small conflicts. This kind of activity enables children to practice real-world skills in a playful and safe setting.

Challenges Highlighted by General Comment No. 17

General Comment No. 17 discusses barriers that prevent children from fully exercising their right to play. It explains how these challenges can affect children’s ability to engage in meaningful play experiences. These barriers include:

Social Barriers

Some attitudes undervalue play compared to formal education. In many settings, adults might prioritise academic achievement over free play or leisure, seeing it as less important. This limits play opportunities.

Example: In schools or after-school programmes, children may not receive enough unstructured time to play because of strict schedules or pressure to complete homework.

Cultural Barriers

Cultural attitudes can sometimes restrict play. Gendered expectations may prevent boys and girls from joining certain play activities. Similarly, children with disabilities or those from minority backgrounds may face exclusion if their needs and identities are not accommodated.

Example: A play space with only competitive sports might exclude children who are less confident about physical activities or have physical disabilities.

Environmental Barriers

Unsafe or inaccessible play areas can make play difficult or impossible for some children. This may include poorly maintained equipment or environments that are not inclusive. General Comment No. 17 encourages governments and organisations to address these issues.

Example: A playground with no wheelchair ramps may prevent a child with mobility needs from enjoying the space.

Economic Barriers

Children from low-income families may have limited access to recreational services or activities that carry a cost. General Comment No. 17 highlights the responsibility of communities and governments to ensure that all children can access play spaces regardless of financial background.

Example: Extracurricular clubs or summer camps may require fees that are unaffordable for some families.

The Role of Playworkers

Playworkers play an important role in translating the guidance from General Comment No. 17 into everyday practice. They can help address barriers to play and ensure all children enjoy their right to rest, leisure, and play.

Here are some examples of how playworkers can make General Comment No. 17 meaningful in their practice:

Creating Inclusive Play Environments

Playworkers ensure that all children feel welcome and included, regardless of their background or abilities. They take steps to identify barriers and adapt activities or environments to accommodate every child.

Example: A playworker might introduce sensory play activities for a child with autism, providing opportunities for them to explore textures and sounds in a way that feels safe and enjoyable.

Promoting Free Play

General Comment No. 17 emphasises that play should be self-directed. Playworkers allow children to lead the way in shaping their experiences, rather than imposing rules or expectations.

Example: Instead of organising a game of tag in a structured way, a playworker might provide loose materials (like hula hoops or soft balls) and encourage children to come up with their own games independently.

Educating Others About the Value of Play

Playworkers can raise awareness among parents, educators, and community leaders about how play benefits children. They can explain why prioritising play leads to healthier, happier children.

Example: A playworker could deliver a talk to parents during a school event, outlining how play teaches problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills that are essential for adulthood.

Facilitating Risk and Challenge Safely

The General Comment stresses that play should involve manageable risks. Risky play helps children develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and risk assessment abilities. Playworkers enable this by creating safe but challenging environments where children can explore their limits.

Example: A playworker might supervise children exploring a climbing frame, offering guidance but stepping back to allow children to climb and experiment with manageable risks themselves.

Advocating for Play Resources

Playworkers can work alongside schools, councils, and community organisations to improve resources for play. This includes advocating for funding or accessible public play spaces.

Example: A playworker might organise a petition or local meeting to request improvements to a community playground.

General Comment No. 17 in Everyday Playwork Practice

The principles outlined in General Comment No. 17 guide daily decisions in playwork. Whether it’s planning activities, adapting environments, or interacting with children, these recommendations remind playworkers to prioritise children’s self-expression and autonomy.

It also encourages playworkers to work as advocates for children’s rights. Beyond supporting individual children, playworkers can challenge systems and attitudes that limit play opportunities in society.

Practical Application in Playwork

Here are some strategies for applying the key points of General Comment No. 17 in playwork:

• Regularly assess play spaces to ensure they are safe, inclusive, and engaging.
• Build strong relationships with children, so they feel confident expressing their needs and ideas.
• Offer a wide variety of play opportunities, such as creative, physical, and social play.
• Balance supervision with trust, giving children space to experiment and learn independently.

Final Thoughts

General Comment No. 17 highlights the universal need for play. It reminds adults, organisations, and governments that play is not a privilege; it is a right.

For playworkers, this means creating environments where children feel empowered to relax, explore, and enjoy their time freely. It also means recognising barriers and tackling them to make play accessible for every child.

By following the principles of General Comment No. 17, playworkers promote the wellbeing, creativity, and joy of the children they support. This not only makes play richer and more meaningful but also ensures that every child has the opportunity to thrive through their right to play.