Unit 1/Cu1941

Unit 1/CU1941

1. Explain the innate drive for children and young people to play

Almost all beings will ‘play’ at some point in their development. It is the way we naturally prepare ourselves for life. A great example of how this drive is not just human is kittens fighting, playing or being curious just as we do. As a child or young person you are intrinsically motivated, this is where we are driven by the enjoyment or interest in the task. Key factors in a child’s play would be; curiosity, social contact, physical activity and independence.

2. Analyse how play is necessary for all children and young people’s development and wellbeing

There are many pressures we face in adult life. Playing helps us to develop many of the skills we will use to help us in later in life such as problem solving, handling conflict, decision-making and even coping with feelings. Playing is something we will always do to help us move on to the next stage in our life, for example, a baby will swing his arms or legs around, a toddler will run, or jump and a young child will be slightly more organised with use of toys or creating. Playing is necessary for all children to help with cognitive growth, physical health, and everyday experiences.

3. Explain the importance of a team approach to supporting children and young people to create a play space

The first thing to identify is that there are different types of play space; transient, permanent, physical and affective. A room could be broken up into areas for each of these types. To create a play space the team would have to interact and agree on different aspects and everybody’s skills would be used and combined. Using a team would mean that different needs would be recognised and tended to and therefore a better environment for playing would be created.

4. Explain the role of playworkers acting as advocates for play

As playing is so important in a child’s development a playworker can be the perfect person to support or even defend a child’s right or need to play. The reason I mention defend is because some parents may see some types of play as messy, for example paint, mud, glue but as playworkers we should always be able to promote and support this type of play. We can do this by explaining how it benefits the child and proving a solution.

5. Evaluate different interventions a playworker can use to support children and young people’s play

Playworkers should always be sensitive to the play needs of children. Children need time to make their own decisions and learn. If we continually interrupt a child’s play we may interfere with their natural independence and risk taking skills. Children should always be able to get ‘lost in play’ and become unaware of the outside world. We should try to only join in to play when we are invited as we may be seen to take charge just be being an adult. A playworker should be around to help facilitate or extend the play but leave the content to the children.

6. Explain the importance of balancing the needs and rights of individual children with the needs and rights of others

An example of an individual need needing to be met versus a group could be if a child does not want to play outside when it is time for the group to. Of course the child has a right to his/her opinion but we must also respect the majority wanting to go outside. In this example you could have a conversation with the child stating what things you could do outside or even get another child to come to help encourage and enthuse them with you. It is always important to balance needs as children will need these skills later in life.

7. Evaluate the impact of playworkers on the playspace

Playworkers can positively impact children’s playspace by not interfering too much and helping to facilitate the play flow. Negative impact is also possible. For example, if I was to say ‘why don’t you try this’ or walk through an area that the children have decided is their swamp, children who are deep in play can become interrupted, embarrassed or aware that others are watching. This could interfere with their imagination and distract them from their play.

8. Evaluate the impact of children and young people on members of the playwork team

I believe there will always be an emotional impact on the playworker. For example there will usually be children who especially like you and will miss you when you are not around. This can make you feel proud or happy. Of course there could be children who do not like you or do not interact with you much also causing an emotional impact. This could cause you to doubt or question yourself. You also feel responsible for the children and care about them, even think of them outside of the playwork.

9. Explain the concept of reflective practice in context of the playwork team

The reflective cycle model was developed and introduced by David Kolb. This model shows a cycle where if used can help improve and evolve your learning or teaching technique. In simple terms you could call it trial and error. It is a cycle that a playwork team can use to continuously improve the environment for a child’s play. After each day or session the playwork team can review the session, learn from the experience, practice or try out the ideas and finally complete the cycle by running the new ideas in the next session.