Learning for everyone Self Directed Play What is

Learning for everyone… Self – Directed Play What is self-directed play?

Learning for everyone… What is self-directed play? Ø Freely Chosen Ø Personally directed Ø Intrinsically motivated Ø Goalless. Ø Children choose what they do Ø Children choose how they do it Ø Children choose why they do it Ø They do it for no external goal or reward.

Learning for everyone… Why do children play? Ø To learn about themselves, the people around them and their physical environment. Ø Discover and make sense of their world in order to survive in it. Ø Develop social, physical, intellectual and creative skills. Ø It gives them pleasure and they can release physical and emotional energy.

Learning for everyone… The Benefits of Play Ø Ø Ø Sense of freedom Control of their own environment Development of skills Express their emotions Exploration of their own limits Exploration of their own identity Growth of independence Growth of self - esteem and confidence Potential of self expression Respect for other children and young people Through play children learn what no one else can teach them.

Learning for everyone… Playworkers should: Ø Support children’s play not direct or control it Ø create and resource an appropriate human environment Ø create and resource an appropriate physical environment Ø respond to play cues Ø advocate children’s play to adults

Learning for everyone… Play environments should provide opportunities for: Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø A varied and interesting physical environment. Challenge in relation to the physical environment playing with the natural elements movement manipulating natural and fabricated materials stimulation of the five senses experiencing changes in the natural and built environment social interactions playing with identity experiencing a range of emotions

Learning for everyone… An effective play space Ø Pays attention to and supports the variety of feelings and moods children may bring with them or have during play Ø Has particular spaces or areas or resources that at different times encourage experiences or expression of a range of emotions Ø Seeks to develop via diverse means an overall feeling and atmosphere of welcome, acceptance, freedom and playfulness. Ø Supports children's feelings and moods during play and uses space, lighting, colour, sounds, materials accordingly.

Learning for everyone… Creating an affective play space Ø Lighting Ø Music Ø Images Ø Aroma Ø layout Ø Spaces Ø Familiarity Ø Comfort factors Ø Sensory stuff Ø Elements Ø Resources and loose parts Ø Attitudes Ø Behaviour Ø Noise/sound level

Learning for everyone… Play spaces! Ø Permanent Ø Play that can not be moved e. g climbing frame Ø Transient Ø Play that can be moved e. g den making Ø For physical play Ø Chase, rough and tumble, football Ø For affective play Ø Provides for emotions, feelings, e. g music,

Learning for everyone… “Mood” descriptors – Children should be Ø Happy Ø Independent Ø Confident Ø Altruistic Ø Trusting Ø Balanced Ø Active or immersed Ø At ease