Reviews - Play in Schools
'Playing for Keeps' records and reflects on the play that takes place in one school playground in Boston,
America. It uses childrens' words and pictures to record play themes and narratives as they take place in
the playground, and practitioners who work regularly with children will smile to see those recurring and
familiar themes in print. The book also includes informal comments, observations and reflections by the
authors, not only on the nature and possible significance of the play which they see taking place, but
also on their role as researchers. Written very much from a personal perspective by authors who clearly
both value and respect children's play, 'Playing for Keeps' is an accessible read providing useful case
study material.
Written by Shelly Newstead, Common Threads.
The book is bright and colourful and the photos help to set the scene. I have to say that both myself and a
colleague watched the DVD first and felt to a degree that we didn't need to read the book! I liked the play
footage on the DVD; this was really useful. However, after now reading the book I feel I should have read it
first; it presents the issues in bite-size chunks with sufficient detail. I also believe the best way for it
to be used is as support material for some hands-on training with staff (both playground, teaching and support
staff, and Governors). I will be sharing the pack with all my team - particularly those who have little or no
practical experience of playwork.
Written by Alison Terry, Senior Childcare Development Officer, Northamptonshire County Council.
At first glance this book looks very interesting; I especially
liked way the two front covers enable you to choose to look
at either the games or stories section without having to
search through the book to find it. The layout of both the
games and stories sections looks as though it will appeal to
children. Indeed the games section is both appealing and
easy to follow with a simple layout and easy to follow wording.
However the story section did not seem as appealing to
children despite following the same format of using children's
words and pictures, perhaps because children's stories appeal
most to the children who write them.
Information is given on the importance of imaginative play and
how to foster children's imagination along with details of where
to go for further information. Disappointingly though while the
forward does give some
details about the project
that led to the creation of
the book there are no
details on where to go for
further information if the
project interests you.
Overall I feel this book would
be an ideal way to bring new
games into a school
playground and encourage
children to develop their own ideas. The child friendly format
would also make this book ideal for some of the many
playground friend style schemes that are becoming popular in
primary schools.
Written by Sandra Roberts.
Links to other review sections:
Activities and Games,
Behaviour,
Management,
Outdoor Play,
Play,
Play in Schools,
Playwork Theory,
Play Therapy,
Playwork,
Rights and Responsibilities.
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