Reflective Playwork: For All Who Work with Children

(Hardback, 2nd edition)

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In a world where we are ever seeking to protect our children and to encourage their educational progress, it is often overlooked that the need for play is as important as the need for food and sleep. Drawing on playwork methodology, theory and practice, this extensively revised new edition of Reflective Playwork recognises that play is a need for all, and seeks to encourage the provision of time and space for all children to freely enjoy its benefits. Encouraging a greater understanding of play from a childs perspective and ways in which any adult can support and enhance play, it covers: playwork principles, the playwork approach, reflective practice and values, play theory, the child and their welfare and spaces for play. This edition has a greater focus on putting playwork theory into practice to address the needs of all those who work with children and play. Using more stories and case studies from real life situations and a wider range of settings including schools, childrens centres, voluntary organisations and play therapy, Jacky Kilvington and Ali Wood help readers identify how to use the playwork approach and engage in reflective practice whoever and wherever they are. New and updated for this edition: - Key questions, reflection opportunities and further reading suggestions have been updated to include the latest research, terminology and current concerns for children and young people; - an updated glossary highlighting key playwork terminology; - a new chapter on playable spaces; - a new chapter on applying the playwork approach in other professions in the childrens and continuing professional development; - a wider look at play and playwork across the Western world; - a renewed focus on showing links between playwork practice and other types of practice. Written in an accessible style, Reflective Playwork is approachable for foundation and undergraduate level students and above as well as practitioners.

Reviews

This new edition strongly validates both childrens play and the reflective practices of adults who support childrens play. But perhaps more importantly, this text is a treasure trove of resources and examples that should resonate with those who teach playwork, those who are students in a field of childhood studies, and just about anyone interested in improving their effectiveness in working with children. * Sue Marie Wright, Professor of Children's Studies, Eastern Washington University, USA *
This much revised second edition is full of beautiful observations about the daily reality of children's play, and the challenges facing those who work with children. The authors manage to make difficult concepts accessible, and I especially enjoyed their many reflections all firmly rooted in personal experience. * Fraser Brown, Professor of Playwork, Leeds Beckett University, UK *
If you work with playing children or spend time with them you will be in no doubt that playing is important to children but often bemusing to adults. This book presents a comprehensive range of accessible information on the subjects of play, how we might better understand it, and work with it. If you care about children, you care about play and you should read this book. * Ben Tawil, Senior Lecturer in Playwork, Leeds Beckett University, UK *

Author Bio

Jacky Kilvington is a freelance playwork consultant and has designed, delivered, written and assessed material for many of the national playwork qualification providers and others. Ali Wood is a freelance playwork consultant. She is currently a director of The Play Resource Company working in schools, is a trustee of Meriden Adventure Playground and for the Playwork Foundation.