Sample Letter to the Editor: Supporting Local Legislation on Play

Dear Editor,

As a parent and resident of [community], I am deeply concerned that fewer kids are regularly spending time at a park or playground. Play is an old-fashioned solution to many modern problems. The disturbing rise in childhood obesity, youth violence, and problems with school performance can all be addressed through play. Kids who play are healthier, do better in school, and become higher-functioning adults by developing social and problem-solving skills. In short, play is a crucial factor in the overall well-being of children.

Yet recess is disappearing from our schools, and playspaces are missing from community and neighborhood development plans. Unstructured play is not as valued as it once was. As a result, children aren’t reaping the many health and social benefits that come with play, which in turn creates problems within our community.

[Name of bill] will not do all that we need to do to put play back into our children’s lives, but it’s a great first step. It is vital that our community defend and support access to play for children in [insert state or community] and the first step in doing so is to contact [name of policy maker] to let him/her know that we support this bill.

This legislation reinforces that our community’s children must be a priority.

Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Anytown, USA