What makes for happy, engaged students at school? In part, play. Bundles, oodles and paddles of play

With the ever-increasing expectations (and pressure) on students and schools to perform, creating a positive, encouraging and supportive environment is vital... but so is play. Play breeds a sense of joy and fun and fosters organic opportunities for creativity.

Do we need more play in schools? (Serious question, followed by a serious answer.)

Mental health is one of the top three most important issues facing young people in Australia today (Mission Australia Youth Survey 2022 Report):

• 41.5 % of students said their biggest personal challenges were school challenges - including academic pressure, high workload, challenges with teachers, learning difficulties and general school challenges;
  
• 27.7 % identified mental health challenges - including low mental health, stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem or self-harm; and
  
• 46% felt extremely or very stressed about study and exams, which can lead to depression, poor sleep, substance abuse and anxiety

What does play actually do? I need facts.

Play:

• Increases circulation and oxygen in the bloodstream which leads to improved concentration
• Teaches cooperation
• Builds problem solving skills
• Encourages sportsmanship and resilience - winning, losing and being cool with either result
• Improves relationships and social connections with others through fun and physical activity
• Reduces stress, helps you sleep better and aids recovery from mental illness through regular exercise

Location: Sutherland Dianella Primary School WA
Image Credit: Aaron Webber


As children, we naturally lean towards a playful lifestyle, exploring our environment and embracing our silly side (whether we realise it or not!). When we reach our teenage years, we see a dramatic drop in instances of play (and coincidentally sport) and a not-so-coincidental rise in mental health issues.  

Anecdotal evidence tells us that students love when their teachers get involved in play. This can strengthen the student-teacher relationship, create an opportunity to have fun, disconnect from content, help foster and create a supportive and safe learning environment and create an opportunity for informal conversations.

From a POPP perspective - having partnered with schools, youth and mental health organisations over 15 years, we know table tennis can create ongoing opportunities for play.

Whether indoors or outdoors - table tennis has no-to-low barriers of entry (age, skill or gender) and offers everything from an ‘ice-breaker’ to more open conversations, a sport for the 'not-so-sporty', a social and fun physical activity, a brain game (in many circles it is known as 'high-speed chess'), an engaging and inclusive activity for multiple students, and even a maths or language learning opportunity - learn to count to 11 in Indonesian!

We even created a Play Daily program to help our school customers maximise their daily play opportunities. The program includes tips, tools and information to make table tennis a win-win for your school and your students.




Location: Sutherland Dianella Primary School WA
Image Credit: Aaron Webber