For her Sociology Masters, Lucy Benson used ideas about children’s being and becoming as a foundation for generating research with children. In this abstract, she suggests that though these ideas are not new, they are worth revisiting as a useful foundation for the playwork approach, and for all those with an interest in childhood, and … Continue reading Being and becoming
Politics, playwork and neo-liberalism
NO. 1 IN AN ORIGINAL SERIES OF PAMPHLETS BY GORDON STURROCK In this first of an original series of pamphlets, the UK playwork scholar Gordon Sturrock argues that avoiding the political implications of playwork practice will lead to its continuing, inevitable demise. Nor should we water our politics down to accommodate more dominant discourses. Instead, … Continue reading Politics, playwork and neo-liberalism
Flying the flag for playwork
Report of the chair of The Playwork Foundation, Karen Benjamin, to the charity's first annual general meeting, held on 8th March 2019. The Playwork Foundation was officially launched on 8th November 2017 at Goldsmiths College, University of London with presentations from Professor Fraser Brown, Penny Wilson, Adrian Voce and Meynell, who also streamed the event … Continue reading Flying the flag for playwork
Are adventure playgrounds really under threat from a risk-averse insurance industry?
Tiverton adventure playground, Devon Simon Bazley, after taking the temperature of this week’s media flurry about insurance companies and adventure playgrounds, decided to do a little bit of his own investigative journalism. He discovered that the picture is not exactly as described by some illustrious newspapers, and suggests that the more serious threats lie elsewhere. … Continue reading Are adventure playgrounds really under threat from a risk-averse insurance industry?
How youth workers can go the extra mile for play
When Ali Wood enrolled for an event, ‘In Defence of Youth Work’, in Birmingham, she saw that the agenda featured discussions on youth work in different settings and situations. Never being shy about speaking out for play, Ali asked if youth work in adventure playgrounds could be added to the programme. This is a synopsis … Continue reading How youth workers can go the extra mile for play
CHILDREN’S ACCESS TO PLAY IN SCHOOLS
Children's Access to Play in Schools ( CAPS ), a University of Gloucestershire project under the EU's Erasmus programme, is introducing its Play-friendly Schools Quality Criteria to the UK at an event in Gloucester on 5 December. Download details here.
Unite calls for Labour to reinstate recognition of playwork qualifications
In its response to the Labour Party's consulation on a statutory youth service, Unite the Union, which incorporates the former Community, Youth and Playworkers Union, has called for a return to the recognition of playwork qualifications. Unite's response says: "Unite believes that playworkers would also gain from an increased recognition of their professional skills especially … Continue reading Unite calls for Labour to reinstate recognition of playwork qualifications
What is playwork under neoliberalism?
In this new paper, Ben Dalbey, inspired by the writing of Wendy Russell and Mike Wragg in the recently-published Aspects of Playwork: Play & Culture Studies, Volume 14 (Hamilton Books, 2018), and quoting extensively from their work, attempts to apply some of their ideas to a US context informed by race and class. Abstract The … Continue reading What is playwork under neoliberalism?
2nd ‘Playwork Campference’ announced for Houston, Texas, February 2019
A Second “Playwork Campference” has been announced for 15th-18th February 2019 in Houston. The organisers, Pop-Up Adventure Play, say it will bring together "international experts on children's play to discuss unconventional approaches to risk and inclusion" Full details here Photo: Calgary Community Services
Symbiotic homeostatic disequilibrium in playworking interaction
A new paper by Joel Seath and Gordon Sturrock, derived from and following communications at the PlayEd conference in Cambridge, May 2018. Abstract Playwork’s key claim is its unique manner of working for and with children. It currently suffers, however, from a lack of consensus regarding the benefits of its application. This paper challenges the dilution … Continue reading Symbiotic homeostatic disequilibrium in playworking interaction