Health and Physical Education program hosts fourth iteration of Healthy Horseplay event

 

MURRAY, Ky. – The Murray State University Health and Physical Education (HPE) program hosted its fourth  iteration of the Healthy Horseplay event on Monday, Oct. 7.

This innovative, research-based community event offers young children open-ended, nature-based play.

Dr. Kim Vigil, program coordinator of HPE, said the program is designed to provide kids with the opportunity for open-ended play in local green spaces.

“Play is open entry and open exit, meaning children are free to explore and move in and out of whatever suits them at any time,” Vigil said. “Facilitators, while ensuring safety, step back and closely observe play experiences in order to later make changes to the environment and materials to further foster children’s open-ended play.”

A group of HPE students helped coordinate the event alongside Vigil.

Emily Enoch, a senior health and physical education major from Dyersburg, Tennessee, said as a student, her job was to ensure students were safe and having a fun time.

“Our job was not to tell them how to play or give them ideas but to listen and observe the ideas they came up with on their own,” Enoch said. “It was really interesting to see them play with natural resources like boxes and wood planks. They had a blast, which just goes to show that nothing fancy is needed for a kid to have fun—just their own imagination!”

Chase Isbell, a senior health and physical education major from Marion, Illinois, said this event helps kids shift their focus.

“As a facilitator of Healthy Horseplay, I see it as a positive way for children to step away from their daily lives—whether it’s school, technology, or issues at home,” Isbell said. “Healthy Horseplay gives children the chance to unleash their imagination without our influence. While they engage and interact, we facilitators can observe and learn from their play. This insight will help us design future Healthy Horseplay events.”

Another vital component of the Healthy Horseplay program is a research study. This year’s research will track the program's impact on the community.

“The aim of this study is to determine the benefits of the program for participating children and to see if it changes parents’ or caregivers’ opinions of play, and if so, how,” Vigil said.

Students within the HPE program also presented at the US Play Coalition Conference on the value of play, highlighting Healthy Horseplay.

Vigil said that her students are always looking for ways to improve the program and find opportunities to host the event more frequently.

“In particular, we are discussing ways to acquire more materials, and potential places and ways to store and transport materials,” Vigil said. 

To host a Healthy Horseplay event or contribute to the program, contact Vigil at kvigil@murraystate.edu.

To learn more about the Health and Physical Education program, visit bit.ly/3YsgWna.