Presentation to Paediatric Chaplaincy Network Monday 12 th November, 2012

1. Presentation to Paediatric Chaplaincy Network Monday 12th November, 2012 This presentation is accessible on line at: http://prezi.com/pbq6iccqmqf9/principles-and-values-of-play/?auth_key=7545aefee480be4ef679c3068337fe14d6eb8a3f

2. 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. PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF PLAY and PLAYWORKPresentation to Paediatric Chaplaincy Network • 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.