Publications

Playing, particularly in terms of children’s development, tends to receive much greater attention in the early years of children’s lives (up to the age of seven) than in later childhood. Playing is mostly associated with the behaviour of very young children, again overlooking and potentially dismissing its value for older children. 

This emphasis on the role and value of play for younger children could lead adults to thinking that people grow out of playing around the age of 10, just when they move to secondary school. However, by only spending a short time in the company of teenagers it’s evident that this is clearly not true.

Older children play too explores the play of older children, particularly those in early and middle adolescence (around the ages of 11 to 16). This information sheet looks at: 

• Avoiding assumptions based on age alone
• Understanding the adolescent brain
• Play behaviours of older children and their benefits 
• Where older children play and why
• Barriers to play and the social consequences 
• Providing for play.
   

Written by Mike Barclay, co-director of Ludicology which provides advice, research and training to all concerned with children’s play.

Chris Martin, July 2018

Children like playing with digital technology – smartphones, tablets and computers. It intrigues and challenges them, offering entry into an exciting world where it appears everyone and everything is online. As playworkers we often struggle to see how this is play.

This information sheet looks at some of the issues and practical uses of digital devices in play settings. It includes top tips for dealing with children and teenagers’ use of phones and tablets in your play setting. It also provides suggestions about what to consider when developing a digital technology policy for play settings.

While much of the information is applicable to all digital devices, it focuses more on portable devices such as smartphones and tablets as these are most widely used by children and staff. The information is aimed at playworkers, but it’s a useful resource for anyone working with children and teenagers.

It also builds on the content of our Play and digital technology information sheet.

This information sheet has been written by Chris Martin. Chris is a playworker, researcher, and play activist. He is currently researching children’s interactions with mobile digital technology for his PhD at the University of Leicester.

Play Wales, June 2018

This information sheet looks at how trainers can support learners and increase the effectiveness of playwork training. It provides clear and concise information on how playwork trainers can best support learners. 

This is an updated version of the information sheet originally published in 2013. 

Play Wales, October 2017

This information sheet explores the 16 play types – including creative play, rough and tumble, deep play and social play. It also makes brief comparisons between some of the play types. The various play types attempt to describe the full range of children’s play behaviours and how they might contribute to children’s physical, mental and emotional development. Facilitating the play types in practice to ensure children experience a range of opportunities and experiences requires space, permission and variety. 

This information sheet is aimed at playworkers, but is also useful for practitioners in schoold and early years settings.

Chris Martin, July 2017

This information sheet takes a critical look at children and young people’s use of mobile phones and other mobile devices, focusing on play. It also examines how children use devices in their play, as well as different perspectives and suggestions to support those working with children.

While written from a playwork perspective it is also relevant for parents and carers, other professionals working with children, and policy makers.

Play Wales, April 2016

This information sheet explores how playing contributes to children’s physical activity levels and how early years practitioners can provide permission, time and space, as well as making materials available, for children to play outdoors. It also provides practical advice on thinking sensibly about health and safety.

The information sheet aims to support early years practitioners to provide physical activity through outdoor play in their settings.

Play Wales, January 2016

This information sheet provides an overview of what is unique about playwork and the role of the playworker. It describes how playworkers’ work relates to the Playwork Principles in terms of facilitating children’s play and the impact of playworkers and their intervention on children’s play and the play space. It also provides a checklist for facilitating a compensatory play space.

Play Wales, October 2015

Wales is the first country in the world to legislate for children’s play through the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010. The Welsh Government ‘Play Sufficiency Duty’, as it has become known, places a duty on every local authority in Wales to assess for and provide sufficient play opportunities for children in their areas.

This information sheet provides a brief overview of the Play Sufficiency Duty and the assessment process that local authorities have to undertake. It also describes Welsh Government’s aim to create a play friendly country by providing time, space and permission for children to play.

The aim of this information sheet is to provide a better understanding about play sufficiency in Wales to those whose work isn’t directly involved with children’s play or who may not be familiar with the legislation.

Play Wales, August 2015

This information sheet briefly explains the importance of playing for brain development and mental health as well as exploring how playing contributes to children’s emotional wellbeing and how it relates to the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’.

We published this information sheet to celebrate Playday 2015.

Play Wales and Cadw, May 2015

This information sheet, aimed at parents and carers, explores the importance of playing outside and contact with nature for all children and their families and it provides tips for supporting children to play out confidently. 

This information sheet was published to celebrate National Children's Day UK (17 May 2015)

Play Wales, January 2015 

This information sheet aims to provide an introduction to advocating for play and playwork. Aimed at everyone who has an interest in or responsibility for children’s play it offers examples of situations where we might act as advocates and suggestions of methods we can use to advocate for play and playwork.

Sue Bradshaw, March 2013 

This information sheet provides policy and procedures in relation to safeguarding children for adoption and adaptation at play settings. It also includes guidelines on how to respond to disclosures and advice to support preventing children from future harm.

This is an updated version of the Safeguarding our children information sheet Play Wales published in 2008.

The production of this information sheet has been funded by the Welsh Government.

Professor Fraser Brown, March 2013 

This information sheet provides a definition of play deprivation, explores its impact and the implications for society. Drawing on his own research and experiences the author also explores the consequences of complete deprivation of play and the potential of playwork.

The production of this information sheet has been funded by the Welsh Government.

Janet Moyles, March 2013 

Written by Janet Moyles this information sheet explores what is play and its importance to and for children’s development in the early years (birth to seven years old). It also explores the importance of adult roles, advocacy and the child’s right to play.

The production of this information sheet has been funded by the Welsh Government.

Play Wales, July 2012

This information sheet and the following accompanying documents have been developed to support local authorities in the participation of children and young people in planning and assessment.

Play Wales, March 2012

This information sheet explores simple solutions to address common complaints made about play spaces and how we can all make simple improvements to a local play area to make it more appealing to all members of the community.

Play Wales, January 2010

This information sheet sets out why play is important and how staffed play provision supports children in local communities to access their right to play in their own neighbourhood.