This presentation is accessible on line at: Presentation to Paediatric Chaplaincy Network Monday 12 th November, 2012

PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF PLAY and PLAYWORK Presentation to Paediatric Chaplaincy Network SOME BENEFITS OF PLAY Play is a natural form of expression for C & YP that enables them to communicate their feelings Play allows adults to enter the world of C & YP and show that they are recognised and accepted. Play provides opportunity for C & YP to develop social skills that might be useful in other situations Play helps C & YP release feelings such as anger and fear that might be difficult to express Observing children at play helps us understand them better Play gives children the chance to try out new roles and to experiment in a safe setting Since play is enjoyable it encourages them to relax and thereby reduces anxiety and defensiveness SOME OF THE TYPES OF PLAY Rough and Tumble Play - Close encounter play, not fighting, but touching, tickling, gauging strength. Socio-dramatic Play -The re-enactment of real and potential experiences of a personal nature. Social Play - Play where rules and criteria for social interaction can be revealed, explored and amended. Communication Play - Play using words, nuances or gestures for example, mime, jokes, play acting Exploratory Play - Play to access factual information through handling, throwing, mouthing objects etc Imaginative Play -Play where the conventional rules governing the physical world, do not apply Mastery Play - Control of the physical and affective ingredients of the environments. Object Play - Play which explores with interesting sequences of hand-eye manipulations & movements Role Play - Play exploring ways of being, although not normally of an intense personal, social nature Recapitulative Play - displays aspects of our human history. Lighting fires, dressing up, making weapons, building shelters. Play is freely chosen, personally directed, intrinsically motivated behaviour that actively engages children and young people CHARACTERISTICS OF PLAY Sustainable – we can do more in play than real life. Active – it is an active process without a product. It’s not about winning it’s about taking part. Motivated – we play out of a natural desire to want to. It is enjoyable. Joins up – brings together everything we learn, know and understand. Possibilities – There is no limit to the possibilities of play. It is imaginative, creative, original & innovative. Comes from Experience – uses & builds on experience. Both Solitary and group – you can play alone in your own world or with others. Wallowing – lose yourself and be totally immersed. Take control – use of unlimited gifts enables us to be in control. Non Conforming – no pressure to conform to rules, pressures goals. It gives the player control. ROLE OF PLAYWORKERS Wait to be invited to play Enable play un-interrupted by me to occur Enable C & YP to explore their own values Leave C & YP to improve their own performance Leave the content/intent of play to C & YP Let C & YP decide why they play Enable C & YP to decide what is appropriate behaviour Only organise when C & YP want me too PLAYWORK PRINCIPLES 1 - All C & YP need to play. The impulse to play is innate. Play is a biological, psychological and social necessity, and is fundamental to the healthy development and wellbeing of individuals and communities. 2 – Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. That is, C & YP determine and control the content and intent of their play, by following their own instincts, ideas and interests, in their own way for their own reasons. 3 – The prime focus and essence of playwork is to support and facilitate the play process and this should inform the development of play policy, strategy, training and education. 4 – For playworkers, the play process takes precedence and they act as advocates for play when engaging with adult-led agendas. 5 – The role of the playworker is to support all C & YP in the creation of a space in which they can play. 6 – The playworker’s response to C & YP playing is based on a sound up-to-date knowledge of the play process, and reflective practice. 7 – Playworkers recognise their own impact on the play space and also the impact of C & YPs play on the playworker. 8 – Playworkers choose an intervention style that enables C & YP to extend their play.