Children and Young People's Survey on Play In Ireland

Introduction

Who are we?

The National Childhood Network (based in the Republic of Ireland and PlayBoard (based in Northern Ireland) both believe that play is very important to children and young people and that they should be able to play more at home, at school and in the places they live.

Why are we running this survey?

All children have the right to play, but often adults forget why play is important. The survey will allow children and young people in the Republic of Ireland to have their say on

How important play is to them
The types of things they like to play, and
What, if anything, stops them playing as much as they would like.

We want you to tell us what matters most to you, we will let the Politicians who make decisions about play know what you think.

IMPORTANT
Taking part is this survey is voluntary. this means you only need to answer the questions you want to answer and can stop anytime.

The information you give is anonymous- nobody can tell that the information comes from you!

If you are a teacher or parent/carer, please allow the child or young person to express their view on the survey.

Thank you for taking part

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* 1. How old are you?

4 or under

5 to 8

9 to 11

12 to 14

15 to 18

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* 2. Do you feel you belong to any of these communities? (You can select more than one)

Live in a city

Live in a town

Live in a village

Live in the countryside

Child or Young Person with disabilities

Migrant community

Minority ethnic community

I don't want to say

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* 3. How often do you play outdoors?

I play outside MOST days of the week (5 days or more)

I play outside a FEW days of the week (2-4 days)

I RARELY play outside (1 day)

I NEVER play outside

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* 4. When you are playing, what are your favourite things to do? (you can select more than 1 box)

Be active - Run about, jump, slide, swing, roll, skip, chase, mess about

Use wheels - Bikes, skates, skateboard, scooter

Make things - Build things, make dens, draw, paint

Just hang out with friends

Use technology - Play with a game console, computer, phone, tablet

Get messy or wet - playing with water or mud, digging in the ground

Play in nature - exploring fields, woods, beach

Something else?

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* 5. Where do you like to play most often? (You can select more than 1 box)

Indoors at home

In my garden at home

On the street where I live

In School

Online Gaming

In my room at home

At a local grass area or field

In nature (e.g. a grass area, words, beach)

At a play park with play equipment (swings, slides, etc.)

At a sports club

At a youth club or community group

In an After school Childcare Club

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* 6. How important is play to you?

Not at all important

Not very important

Its okay

Quite important

Really important

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* 7. Why is playing important to you? (You can select more than 1 box)

It makes me happy

It helps me make friends

I like to move (run, jump, climb) when playing

It allows me to create and make things

I can learn new things

It helps me to relax

It is fun

I can be outdoors in the fresh air

I can spend time playing with my family

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* 8. When you are playing outside, which of these is true?

There are LOTS of places for me to play

There are SOME places for me to play

There are HARDLY ANY places for me to play

There are NO places for me to play

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* 9. What, if anything, stops you from playing as much as you would like? (You can select more than 1 box)

I don't have enough time to play

There are few places for me to play where I live

I don't have anyone to play with

I'm not allowed to play outdoors where I live

My parents and/or teachers don't think its important

I don't have toys or games to play with

I don't enjoy playing

Too much traffic outside my house

Something else?

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* 10. If you are not able to play, how does it make you feel?

Bored

Sad

Disappointed

Lonely

Angry or Frustrated

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* 11. What would allow you to play more? (You can select more than 1 box)

More time to play

More space and places to play where I live

More people to play with (this could be family or friends)

Safer places to play

Easier ways to get to places to play

Don't Know

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* 12. What are adults like when you are playing in the area you live?

Most adults are GREAT and HAPPY with children playing outside

Most adults are OK with children playing outside

Most adults are GRUMPY and DON'T LIKE children playing outside

Don't Know

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* 13. Thank you very much for taking the time to complete this survey
National Childhood Network are running a competition for participating in this survey. One entry winner will be selected at random and will receive a box of goodies.
If you would like to be entered into the FREE draw please leave your name and email in the box below

Children and Young People's Survey on Play In Ireland

Introduction

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* 1. How old are you?

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* 2. Do you feel you belong to any of these communities? (You can select more than one)

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* 3. How often do you play outdoors?

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* 4. When you are playing, what are your favourite things to do? (you can select more than 1 box)

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* 5. Where do you like to play most often? (You can select more than 1 box)

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* 6. How important is play to you?

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* 7. Why is playing important to you? (You can select more than 1 box)

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* 8. When you are playing outside, which of these is true?

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* 9. What, if anything, stops you from playing as much as you would like? (You can select more than 1 box)

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* 10. If you are not able to play, how does it make you feel?

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* 11. What would allow you to play more? (You can select more than 1 box)

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* 12. What are adults like when you are playing in the area you live?

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* 14. We would love to see children's drawings/paintings/creations for ideas for play, please screenshot and send any samples of work to: info@ncn.ie