Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. What do we mean by play? Defining play
Playing - just for children?
A definition of play
The play process
2. What gets in the way of children playing?
Family and friends
Legislation impacting on children
Influences of the media
Concerns with ‘safety'
Children need to take risks
3. Why is play valuable? Ways of looking at
play
The Integral Play Framework
Levels of ability and understanding
Different types of play - play types
4. Playing actively Starting early
Using our bodies actively
Supporting access to the wider environment
Enhancing spaces for play
Using the elements
5. Playing through feelings and thoughts How the
brain and mind work
Perceptual play
Impulsive play
Emotional play
Imaginative play
Getting serious - deep play
All in the mind?
6. Playing through culture Influences on cultural
play
Games that children play
Playful and creative approaches
Play with roles
Rituals and play
7. Playing with others Playing at home
Playing in groups
Children and gender
Communication play
Social play
Participation - listening to children and young people
Playing globally
8. Grown up play How adults play
Staying playful
A ‘beautiful intelligence'
Auto-erotism
A playful intelligence
9. A Play History - From Plato to the Play Ethic
10. The Every Child Matters framework in
England
Appendix
References
An accessible coursebook for those specifically engaged in playwork and those on Childhood Studies programmes.
Perry Else was Course Leader for BA Playwork at Sheffield Hallam University, UK.
'A useful and thoroughly-researched reminder of why play is of such
immense importance. Children's experience of play is multi-faceted
and the integrated approach rightly helps us to look at play from
many angles. I liked the comprehensive footnotes pointing
interested readers to further research, and the anecdotes and
recounting of play experiences that link us back to what children
actually do when they play.' Theresa Casey, President,
International Play Association, UK
'This book is timely. Among the emerging texts that inform the
field, there has been little attempt to map and coordinate our
actions and reactions in a reflective domain. We speak of
reflection and the reasons we should do it but not the manner in
which such reflection should be conducted. By locating this
interplay in the compass of Wilber's four-quadrant theory, the
author ensures that our praxis is firmly grounded in an aware
analysis of point, position and product. That this has been
achieved in a clarity of expression and a meaningful exploration of
practice - bringing experience to theory - is something to be
applauded. An accessible discourse that illuminates the humanity of
the shared playing encounter - child to adult - is a necessity in
the playspace and for our roles as adults working in that delicate
area of interchange. This book hits the mark.' Hugo Grinmore,
Playwork consultant
'An inspiring overview of play for students and practitioners who
work - or wish to work -- with children. It draws on a range of
theories and covers the history of writing and thinking about play,
as well as setting the social policy context. Perry Else also gives
lively examples and discussion points which make it a useful
educational resource. In short, the book makes a valuable
contribution to the development of reflective practice, not only
for playworkers but for other professionals in children's care and
education.' Pat Petrie, Professor of Education, Institute of
Education, University of London, UK
'Perry uses the Value of Play to communicate key ideas and examine
issues that impact on children's play in a thorough, interesting
and accessible manner to all those who want to know more about play
and the playwork approach. This is a comprehensive 'must read' for
anyone wanting to increase their understanding of children's play.'
Mike Greenaway, Director, Play Wales
"The importance of play is well recognised by early years
practitioners, and reflected in the EYFS focus on learning through
play. This book, with chapters including What do you mean by play?,
What gets in the way of children playing? and a play history will
support reflective practice" Nursery World, 4 June 2009
'Provides a huge number of ways to build on the actual text, from
key questions to stimulate reflection to extensive references to
follow up. The book takes you through all the current 'hot topics'
such as risk, the media, participation, presenting these as
well as old friends such as the Playwork Principles and play
environments...The book presents its thoughts using the "Integral
Play Framework"...[which] provides a logical framework for the
book's journey which enables a reader even with no knowledge of
play to travel from the individual child "lost in play" to the
natural conclusion as to the importance of play to successful human
evolution. It also argues the importance of play in adult life, and
has certainly inspired inspired me! Highly recommended!' Play
Today
*Chris Martin, Senior National Programme Manager, Skillsactive
*
"This is a rich and eclectic book - and if I regret the absence of
Liz Brooker and Tina Brice then I welcome the inclusion of Brian
Eno amongst others - read it and relish it." Keith Savage, The
Higher Education Academy 20 August 2009
‘The value of play is hard to capture,' says Else. But this
accessible and comprehensive book manages it beautifully. A
must-read resource for those studying playwork courses,
professionals working with children, and indeed parents and carers;
all will gain valuable insights. It is also extremely timely:
impending cuts in services require passionate and knowledgeable
advocates for play.'
*Children & Young People Now, October 2009*
‘This is a "must - have" book for anybody working with children and
young people in play settings and across other children's
services.'
*Playwords magazine, Autumn 2010, Issue 42 (UK)*
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