Foundations Of Playwork

by Brown, Fraser; Taylor, Chris

• ISBN13: 9780335222919
• ISBN10: 0335222919
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-07-01
• Publisher: Open University Press

Summary

"The editors take readers through a breathtaking landscape of perspectives on the foundations of playwork. ... This book invites you to reflect (see Palmer, p51). But above all, it is one that inspires action." Children and Society"Foundations of Playworkis a must read for anyone with an interest in playwork or children's services. It shows the breadth, depth and value of our work with and on behalf of children." Mike Greenaway, Director of Play WalesPlay impacts on all aspects of human behaviour and development, including the social, physical, cognitive, creative, emotional and spiritual worlds. The profession of playwork endeavours to provide enriched play environments with a view to enabling children achieve their full potential.This book provides a holistic overview of contemporary play and playwork. Straightforward and accessible, it covers topics such as playwork identity; play environments; the role of the playworker; values and ethics; play and playwork theory; and at the heart of the book, a special chapter located at the cutting-edge of 21st century play theory.The authors position play and playwork within the broader social context of the management and development of play settings, work within and between different sectors of the children's workforce, and the socio-legal framework of children's rights, and legislation. The book has international interest, considering playwork in the UK, US and Romania. It looks at diverse settings such as prisons, hospitals, parks, adventure playgrounds and play centres, schools, youth settings and nurseries.Contributions from many of the leading names in playwork offer the most current theory and practice in the field. They present approaches to playwork using a range of techniques such as case studies and critiques, applied and emergent theorizing, story-telling and reflection. This encourages the reader to gain a breadth of perspective and develop their own contribution to the playwork tradition.Foundations of Playworkis a vital resource for playwork students, practitioners, members of the children's workforce, carers and parents.

Author Biography

Fraser Brown is Reader in Playwork at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK, and Course Leader of the BA (Hons) Playwork degree. He is Chair of the Aid for Romanian Children charitable trust.

Chris Taylor is a Playwork Trainer and Consultant, Associate Lecturer with the Open University, a Trustee for London Play, and a Management Committee Support Worker at Play Association Tower Hamlets, UK.

Table of Contents

Playwork theory and playwork practice in the UK

The fundamentals of playwork

Where children play: the place of staffed provision

Playwork a profession: distinct or extinct

The state of play in England

Playwork in Scotland

Play in Wales

Play provision in Northern Ireland

Playwork education, training and qualifications: looking to the future

Playwork and the theory of loose parts

Work based learning and reflective practice

The play environment

Play and the play stage

If you go down to the woods today: why nature and adventure matter to children and young people

Playwork and the environment

The concept of risk in play and playwork

Quality in play: underpinning thoughts

The playing child and the practising playworker

Playing: the space between

Modelling playwork: BRAWGS continuum, dialogue and collaborative reflection

The edge of recalcitrance: playwork in the zone of complexity

Two weeks of adventure play: moving furniture

After school childcare in adventure playgrounds

Play in hospitals

Playwork in prisons

Thinking about creating a play environment

Playwork Values, Ethics & Professional Practice

The playwork principles

The playwork principles: a critique

Some reflections on the history of playwork in the adventure playground tradition

`The place we are meant to be': play, playwork and the natural rhythms of communities

Special Feature

Beyond ambiguity Brian

Play Links, Relating and Communicating

Mother and baby: the first playground

Playing and relating: the contribution of Winnicott

Exploring rhythm in playwork

Community based projects

Working with Professional Diversity

Common core number 7 the missing link?

Guerilla playwork

Playwork in the early years: working in a parallel profession

Play, learning and education: common core of skills and knowledge for the children's workforce

At sixes and sevens: the transition of play to secondary schools

Play and youth work: a qualitative case study of integrated practice

The children's workforce: the early years and playwork

Summer camp in Romania: playwork with volunteers

Contributing to the Management and Development of Play Settings

Playing the policy game: promoting effective play strategies with government, and why should we bother?

Managing children's play provision

Voluntary community play provision: a case study

Somerford Grove Community Project and Adventure Playground

Tell me an old old story: ICT and the play setting

Legislation and Rights

The history of child protection, present procedures and practices

Health & safety: a playwork perspective

Children's rights and play Issy

Being an anti-racist

… and inclusion

Gender and play: the devel

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