Interactions, Interventions, and Reflections

Choosing the right language: how far do we go?  - Vicky Edwards

Having recently experienced a personal bereavement I have started to reflect on the language that is often used to talk about death. Phrases such as 'they have passed' whilst soft do not really explain or acknowledge what has happened. The professionals I have talked to in this area of work/understanding suggest that if someone dies we should talk about that they are dead and what that means. This got me thinking about the myths we tell children. In this session, we will explore this subject through conversation and stories. I will prompt the thinking in the group.

TIME: 09:00-10:30 LENGTH: 1.5 hours TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Harder

One out of school club & the Pandemic - The Future - Audrey Bobb

One Out of school club. One Pandemic - Now it's virtually over Where are we going?  Play facilities  is essential for the child's health and well being. Looking at Our past, our present and our future role in the community.

TIME: 11:00-12:00 LENGTH: 1 hour TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Explorer

Make space for girls: lets think about teen space - Imogen Clark

We are Make Space for Girls: most play spaces provided for teenagers (skate parks, bike tracks, basketball courts and fenced pitches or MUGAs) are dominated by boys. This isn't fair; it impacts on the health and activity levels of teenage girls; and it affects their sense of belonging in public space. But does anyone notice and care? And if they do notice and care, why is there such a focus on  "fixing the girls" ? Well, we  noticed; we care; and we don't think the girls need "fixing". We think the way that we approach play for teenagers needs to change, the spaces we design need fixing: and we start this by listening to the girls.

TIME: 12:00-12:45 LENGTH: 45 mins TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Explorer

Are the principles JUST for face to face playwork? - Anne-Marie Mackin and Martin King-Sheard

As playworkers the playwork principles are a tool for reflective practice, they help us articulate what is unique about our profession to others and define the values we have towards children and play. But do you have to be doing face to face playwork for them to apply to you? Many people move through a career in playwork and end up in diverse roles such as play development work, training, strategic play officer roles, research or academia. This workshop will provide an opportunity for discussion and reflection on this question, how the principles apply to non-face to face playworkers and if you are still ‘doing’ playwork if your opportunities to interact directly with children in a playwork setting are limited.

TIME: 13:00-14:30 LENGTH: 1.5 hours TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Explorer

Everyday playwork: The qaulity of hesitation - Bridget Handscomb and John Fitzpatrick

When children ask you for more paint, hammer and nails, or the jumping mats, what flits through your mind before you respond? Why did you pause? What are you considering in that moment of playwork hesitation? In this interactive workshop we invite playworkers to explore the everyday reality of playwork - sharing experiences, stories, questions, responses and approaches to reflective playwork practice. The emphasis will be on daily work alongside children and their play and will use conversations, creativity, collaboration and fun.

TIME: 14:30-16:00 LENGTH: 1.5 hours TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Easy

Everyday playwork: The qaulity of hesitation - Bridget Handscomb and John Fitzpatrick

When children ask you for more paint, hammer and nails, or the jumping mats, what flits through your mind before you respond? Why did you pause? What are you considering in that moment of playwork hesitation? In this interactive workshop we invite playworkers to explore the everyday reality of playwork - sharing experiences, stories, questions, responses and approaches to reflective playwork practice. The emphasis will be on daily work alongside children and their play and will use conversations, creativity, collaboration and fun.

TIME: 14:30-16:00 LENGTH: 1.5 hours TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Easy

How can the formal elements of art become a Playwork Theory - Tilia Guilbaud-Walter

This session will be an exploration and discussion of how the formal elements of art could be transferred into the world of playwork to form a new way of thinking about children’s play and how we see playwork settings. This is a concept which is still in its early days of consideration so as much as this session is me explaining what I’ve thought about it is just as much you sharing your ideas on the subject and working together to develop this theory.

TIME: 16:00-17:00 LENGTH: 1 hours TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Explorer