Adherents of the "Engage with Me" movement
In the city of Neuss, located near Düsseldorf, a unique initiative has been launched to promote family play and community activities. The district-wide campaign, spearheaded by Landrat Hans-Jürgen Petrauschke and several other officials, aims to enhance family bonding, encourage outdoor and group play, and strengthen community ties.
Marion Klein, director of the youth welfare office, expressed her satisfaction with the campaign, highlighting its importance during the Corona pandemic for children's development. The campaign focuses on the social development of children through play, emphasizing the need for physical interaction and real-world experiences over digital games.
Sebastian Johnen, head of the youth department, stressed that playing together is beneficial for preparing children for knowledge transfer and making it easier for them to start in a playful way. He explained that through playing, children learn about the world, develop skills, and discover the purpose of things.
The campaign has gained regional interest following the successful "Talk to me" action in 2019. Renate Alf, a cartoonist, has developed five motifs of everyday scenes for promotional materials in the campaign. A brochure with game and craft ideas has been reprinted as part of the campaign, and interested families can request it along with a paint set, a Mikado game, a wooden tower, and family leisure tips.
The campaign's materials aim to draw attention to the importance of playing together, highlighting attractive excursion destinations near families' homes. The campaign has partners from various educational and recreational institutions, including schools, kindergartens, family centers, youth facilities, and practices.
Landrat Hans-Jürgen Petrauschke emphasized that playing board games promotes social interaction and helps children learn to handle both losing and winning. The campaign encourages parents to play with their children, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared experiences.
The district-wide campaign has started, involving all eight communities in Neuss. If you need comprehensive details on this campaign’s origins, objectives, and impacts, I recommend consulting official Neuss city communications, local government reports, or community project websites, as well as regional news outlets that might cover these initiatives.
The home-and-garden sector could collaborate with the campaign, providing materials for DIY craft ideas included in the brochure. The initiative's goal, which includes enhancing family bonding, could be further achieved through shared hobbies and projects, promoting a lifestyle that values family play and garden activities.
