Overview

"""Reflective Playwork"" provides an introduction to playwork values, principles and practice for all who work with children. It recognizes that all have a need for play, and seeks to encourage the provision of time and space for all children to freely enjoy its benefits. 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. Play deprivation can result in a child having less energy for education, a lower ability to use creative and imaginative ways of problem solving, a poorer self image, being less able to cope with the stresses and strains of life and sometimes being more likely to look for 'kicks' in anti-social ways. This book encourages a greater understanding of play from the child's perspective, and suggests ways in which adults can support and enhance play. It covers: playwork principles and practice; play theory; the child; playwork values and practice; playwork and society; playwork education, training and continuing professional development; and, quality and management of playwork. It is written for those who are looking to promote and celebrate the need for play in all of their work with children, and who see their role as supportive rather than supervisory. Further, it is for those who recognize that the rewards of working with children come as a privilege. ""Reflective Playwork"" is for the playworker and for all others who work with children - such as childcare practitioners, teaching assistants, health workers, social workers, teachers and those in management - who are looking to understand and adopt the values and principles in their own settings."

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9780826497642

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Reviews

'...this book is punctuated with reflection opportunities and key questions, which explore and develop the playwork approach' Nursery Education Plus, September 2010 'British playwork consultants Kilvington and Wood were drawn to the field to help counter the damage they saw being done to children in the name of education and protection. They cover principles playwork, play, a new paradigm for play, the child, playwork practice, playwork regulation, quality in playwork, playwork and other people, and playwork education and training.' Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc, USA 'The authors make a strong argument for the adoption of a playwork approach where the very precious stage of childhood is cherished, self-directed, spontaneous and freely chosen. There are many illustrative anecdotes peppered effectively throughout the text that help illuminate key points and which are a joy to read. There are reflective activities, key questions and possible ways to support and promote and enhance play through understanding things from a child's perspective' Early Years Educator 'There is plenty of practical guidance... It will likely be the growing legions of playwork students that will find the book most useful. The cope of the content is wide' Children and Young People Now 'This book ... weaves together a theoretical, practical and reflective approach which makes it both useful and accessible' Education Review Recommended 'For your Shelf' in Nursery World 'This is a great book, gathering together in one place all the really useful stuff you need to know and think about in order to be an exceptional playworker. The writing style is very accessible and the text is peppered with little stories from the authors' own experiences. This is definitely one book I will be going back to again and again.' Meynell Walter, Meynell Games Group, UK 'This book is a good read for those of us who wish to extend our understanding of playwork and to examine our own working decisions. It helps us understand the influence of culture on our work and to relate playwork theory to our everyday practice.' Mike Greenaway, Director, Play Wales 'Kilvington and Wood offer readers a unique perspective on Playwork honed over many years in the field. Their balanced and objective discussion of societal forces and current national policies concerning the role of play in children's lives is exceptional. They effectively argue for the adoption of a Playwork approach where the precious stage of life known as childhood is cherished, and where self-directed, spontaneous, and freely chosen play reigns supreme.' Michael M. Patte, Assistant Professor, Bloomsburg University, USA

'...this book is punctuated with reflection opportunities and key questions, which explore and develop the playwork approach' Nursery Education Plus, September 2010

'...this book is punctuated with reflection opportunities and key questions, which explore and develop the playwork approach' Nursery Education Plus, September 2010 'British playwork consultants Kilvington and Wood were drawn to the field to help counter the damage they saw being done to children in the name of education and protection. They cover principles playwork, play, a new paradigm for play, the child, playwork practice, playwork regulation, quality in playwork, playwork and other people, and playwork education and training.' Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc, USA 'The authors make a strong argument for the adoption of a playwork approach where the very precious stage of childhood is cherished, self-directed, spontaneous and freely chosen. There are many illustrative anecdotes peppered effectively throughout the text that help illuminate key points and which are a joy to read. There are reflective activities, key questions and possible ways to support and promote and enhance play through understanding things from a child's perspective' Early Years Educator 'There is plenty of practical guidance... It will likely be the growing legions of playwork students that will find the book most useful. The cope of the content is wide' Children and Young People Now 'This book ... weaves together a theoretical, practical and reflective approach which makes it both useful and accessible' Education Review Recommended 'For your Shelf' in Nursery World 'Kilvington and Wood offer readers a unique perspective on Playwork honed over many years in the field. Their balanced and objective discussion of societal forces and current national policies concerning the role of play in children's lives is exceptional. They effectively argue for the adoption of a Playwork approach where the precious stage of life known as childhood is cherished, and where self-directed, spontaneous, and freely chosen play reigns supreme.' Michael M. Patte, Assistant Professor, Bloomsburg University, USA 'This book is a good read for those of us who wish to extend our understanding of playwork and to examine our own working decisions. It helps us understand the influence of culture on our work and to relate playwork theory to our everyday practice.' Mike Greenaway, Director, Play Wales 'This is a great book, gathering together in one place all the really useful stuff you need to know and think about in order to be an exceptional playworker. The writing style is very accessible and the text is peppered with little stories from the authors' own experiences. This is definitely one book I will be going back to again and again.' Meynell Walter, Meynell Games Group, UK

Author Information

Jacky Kilvington works freelance in all aspects of playwork. She has designed, delivered, written and assessed material for many of the national playwork qualification providers. She has long been involved in the theoretical and practical application of playwork in a range of different ways. Ali Wood is a freelance playwork consultant and has designed, delivered and written training materials for Play Wales, SkillsActive, CACHE and Playwork Partnerships and is committed to an inspirational style of learning. She has carried out academic research projects in children's emotional development.

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