UTSDGs

Ministry of Education USR Project (2025–2027): Integrating University Social Responsibility into Institutional Development PlanningExamining Every Child's Right to Play through the Playground Reform Initiatives of the Parks & Playgrounds for Children (PPC) Alliance

In this lecture, the speaker shared how her own child’s struggle to find opportunities for play at school motivated her to join the advocacy work of the Parks & Playgrounds for Children (PPC) alliance. She went on to discuss the long-standing issues within Taiwan’s children's play environments—specifically their uniformity, reliance on "cookie-cutter" (standardized) equipment, lack of challenge, and absence of child participation. The speaker emphasized that play is not merely entertainment but a fundamental right for children, as well as a vital means of fostering physical and mental health, social skills, emotional regulation, creativity, and resilience. She also noted that adolescents require play just as much as younger children, and highlighted how the pandemic underscored the developmental, emotional, and health issues arising from a lack of free play. Regarding inclusive playgrounds, she argued that inclusivity should not be defined solely by accessibility or wheelchair-friendly design; rather, it requires a broader perspective that considers whether children of varying abilities, ages, and needs can all find ways to play that suit them within the same space. Ultimately, the lecture called on society to rediscover the value of play and—through child participation, design improvements, and urban advocacy—to truly bring play back into children's lives.

Implemented by Center for Teaching and Learning Development
Date: 2026/03/04