Play and Recreation (FC2S028)

Aims of the module To understand the concept of childhood To explain the value of play and recreation for children and young people To explore theories of play

Learning Outcomes LO1 - Theories of play LO2 - The changing nature of play LO3 – The planning of purposeful play Assessment: Essay detailing how play/recreational activities can enrich the lives of children or young people (3000 words)

UNCRC Article 31 (Leisure, play and culture): Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities. (

The commitment to a right to play The UNCRC: “ States Parties recognises the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts” States must also: “ … encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity” (Article 31 UNCRC)

What is Play? 1. Engage in enjoyable activities: to take part in an enjoyable activity, especially a game, simply for the sake of amusement 2. Act in fun: to do something for fun, not in earnest

What is Recreation? 1. refreshment: the refreshment of the mind and body after work, especially by engaging in enjoyable activities 2. amusement: an activity that a person takes part in for pleasure or relaxation rather than as work She took up sketching as a recreation.

Definitions of Leisure, Play and Recreation

A World Fit for Children (2002) As a commitment to promoting healthy lives and providing quality education, world leaders at the United Nations Special Session on Children (May 2002) agreed to: “ Promote physical, mental and emotional health among children, including adolescents, through play, sports, recreation, artistic and cultural expression” and to “Provide accessible recreational and sports opportunities and facilities at schools and in communities”

Article 1 International Charter of Physical Education and Sport “ The practice of physical education and sport is a fundamental right for all” (UNESCO 1978)

Children’s Commissioner Keith Towler is the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. Keith’s job is to stand up and speak out for children and young people. He works to make sure that children and young people are kept safe and that they know about and can access their rights. Keith has to consider children’s rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in all the work that he does. This means that there is a lot of work to do so Keith has a team of people helping him. They work from two offices, one in Swansea and one in Colwyn Bay. ( )

Welsh Assembly Play Policy The Welsh Assembly Play Policy (2002) defines play as: “Play encompasses children’s behaviour which is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. It is performed for no external goal or reward, and is a fundamental and integral part of healthy development – not only for individual children, but also for the society in which they live” legislate-for-play legislate-for-play wales/playpolicy/playpolicye.pdf;jsessionid=65E9A045C13883AC6137FEE3A36535EE?lang =enwales.gov.uk/dcells/publications/policy_strategy_and_planning/early- wales/playpolicy/playpolicye.pdf;jsessionid=65E9A045C13883AC6137FEE3A36535EE?lang =en

Play Policy Implementation Plan Through Play children and young people can lead healthy lifestyles. Our Play Implementation Plan recognised the importance of nutrition and exercise in a child’s development. The Plan also highlighted the research evidence that play freely chosen by children, provides good exercise. Children need a caring, stimulating environment, safe and secure where they can be happy and valued as individuals. We know that play is an important part of a child’s life and through this we can promote their development, learning, creativity and independence.

Playwork Principles The Playwork Principles establish a professional and ethical framework for playwork. They are endorsed by the national training organisation for playwork - SkillsActive - by the Welsh Assembly Government and by Play Wales. Where the Principles refer to children and young people, they mean all children and young people

Playwork Principles Principle 1 Principle 2 All children and young people 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 well being of individuals and communities Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. That is, children and young people 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.

Reflection Read chapter 1 from Exploring Play for Early Childhood Studies – Andrews. M (2012) Write a short piece (approximately 1000 words) reflecting on your own recollections of play and its importance