The Scottish Government has launched its Play Talk Read campaign with a fun #30daysofplay calendar to help give parents inspiration for easy, fun, cheap ways to keep their tots active this autumn. You can get a copy of the calendar below.
Like many parents across Scotland, Karen and Robbie Porter, from East Dunbartonshire, plan to take part in #30daysofplay with their 16-month-old daughter Amelia.
PlayTalkRead is really good at providing ideas that you don’t need money for
Robbie works in the merchant navy so he can be away from home for four to three months at a time, meaning Karen spends a lot of time looking after Amelia on her own. Karen enjoys taking Amelia (both pictured above) to the park because it’s free. At the park Amelia can get used to nature, listen to the birds and look at the trees. Parks with water are always a hit with Amelia because she loves the ducks and the swans.
Videos are a great way for Amelia and Robbie to see each other whilst Robbie’s away from homeVideos are a great way for Amelia and Robbie to see each other whilst Robbie’s away from home. Every day, Karen sends videos of Amelia to Robbie and Amelia now recognises him straight away and starts laughing when he starts singing to her down the phone.
Karen and Amelia will be taking part in PlayTalkRead’s #30daysofplay campaign and are looking forward to learning lots of new songs.
Karen said: “I think it’s the hardest job in the world, because you’re in charge of a wee person and you have to make sure they’re developing and they’re safe and healthy. I want her, whatever she does in life, to be happy and I want to know she’s got love and support.