How important is playing for a child’s healthy development? Estrelas e Ouriços, the Child Support Institute and the Coimbra Higher Education School came together and provided the answer. A conference that you can watch in full here.
Playing is a right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Children’s Rights. It has social, psychological and physical benefits, with a determining role in development. But the most recent data from the Child Support Institute reveals that more than half of He plays less than an hour a day with his family.
The lack of time and tiredness of adults are the main obstacles and that is why it is necessary to involve them in the debate.
To promote debate on the topic, the o ea came together to try to find solutions.
The conference “How Children Play in Portugal” took place at the Impresa Building. The event was accompanied by a team of mini-reporters from and the .
Conference program
Opening Session
- Madalena Nunes Diogo, general director of Estrelas & Ouriços
- Fernanda Salvaterra, member of the IAC Board of Directors
All Playing Activation – Brick Girls
“The Time to Play” – Current Challenges
Identify the obstacles that families and schools face when trying to provide time and space for children to play and develop practical strategies and immediate solutions.
- Provocative: Rui Mendes, professor at the Coimbra Higher Education School
- Testimony: Patrícia Castanheira, researcher at the LEGO Foundation and specialist in teacher training
Guests:
- Hugo Rodrigues, pediatrician
- Paula Costa, mentora de Working Families na Parents&Partners
- Inês Morais de Alarcão, content creator, mother of three children
“Role of Technology” – Future Opportunities
How technology can be used to promote creative play, playful learning and positive social interactions.
Provocative: Madalena Nunes Diogo, general director of Estrelas & Ouriços
Guests:
- Cristina Ponte, coordinator of the CriA.On Platform (Children and Adolescents Online). ICNOVA, NOVA FCSH
- Carla Costa, chief inspector, National Unit for Combating Cybercrime and Technological Crime of the Judiciary Police
Combating Cybercrime and Criminality by the Judicial Police - Rui Lima, professor and pedagogical director at Colégio Monte Flor
Educational project: Missão Continente School – It makes going to school more enjoyable! Edition 2025/26.
- Gabriela Oliveira, brand manager, Missão Continente
“Where Children Play” – Current Challenges and Future Opportunities
Identifying opportunities to improve outdoor and school play spaces is essential.
Provocative: Ana Lourenço, coordinator of the HuB Sector – Humanization and Right to Play at IAC.
Guests:
- Joana Cascais de Freitas, responsible for the Pela Cidade Fora project, EMEL
- Laura Sanches, clinical psychologist
- Ermelinda Afonso, Active School project of the Municipality of Viseu
Closing: the mini reporters, the and the
