Learning Exchange Library

Play England  This is the national organisation for children's play in England.

Play therapy: the evidence   Evidence-based research by Play Therapy UK (PTUK) into the beneficial effects of play therapy on children’s well-being shows that between 74 per cent and 83 per cent of children receiving play therapy from PTUK Members experience positive changes. Since 2008, the outcomes have been demonstrated to be replicable and they are being used to justify funding for play therapy services. The research report is called: An Effective Way of Promoting Children’s Wellbeing and Alleviating Emotional, Behavioural and Mental Health Problems - the Latest Research.

Play: policies, research, evaluations and useful    This is a link to the Department for Education's collection of play documents and links.

Chwarae Cymru (Play Wales)   This is the national organisation for children's play in Wales.

KIDS National Development Department   This department promotes inclusion across the play, childcare and youth sectors through training, publications and partnership working.

The Playwork Inclusion Project (PIP)   This project provides workforce development and support, training and seminars on inclusive play. It also offers a wide range of publications and guidance.

KIDS: resources to support inclusion of disabled children and young people in play activities   KIDS adopts the approach of working in partnership with parents and carers to enable disabled children and young people to develop their skills and abilities and to fulfil their potential, hopes and aspirations. These resources offer a huge range of advice and suggestions, research and information about inclusion - in particular, look at All of us - The Framework for Quality Inclusion.

Supporting children to play safely: Neighbourhood policing and the Play Strategy   A briefing outlining why play and informal recreation is important, including practical advice, guidance and case studies.

Play for a change - Play, Policy and Practice: A review of contemporary perspectives   Play England's comprehensive review of the evidence underpinning current thinking on play offers a detailed analysis of research and literature published since 2001, which underpins contemporary understandings of the importance of play and how this relates to social policy and practice.

Mainstreaming inclusion advice   KIDS is working with Play England to offer support and advice on inclusion to playbuilders and pathfinders receiving funding under the National Play Strategy.

Youth4U - Young Inspectors programme   KIDS is also a partner in the Look Listen Change consortium hosted by the National Children's Bureau offering the Youth4U - Young Inspectors programme advice and guidance, and providing support to local authorities on how to actively promote the programme to young disabled people and facilitate their meaningful participation.

Play strategies and advice from SkillsActive    SkillsActive offers guidance on playwork in extended schools aimed at strategic planners. It introduces the benefits of play and playwork to schools’ communities and play’s contributions to the core extended schools offer.

A Parent's Guide to Nature Play   PDF full of ideas on the benefits and methods of getting kids outside and playing in nature.

Southampton Play Project     This innovative Southhampton project enhanced the quality and quantity of local play facilities, built up provision for 8-13 year olds and increased the range of play opportunities for those in areas of need and children and young people who were experiencing barriers to play.

Playtrail in Derry City, Northern Ireland   Mark Roberts tells the story of Derry's beautiful Playtrail, how it came about, the importance of play opportunities for children and families in Derry City and  the partnership-working involved in getting it going. He also offers a sound tip about sustainability.

Are we doomed as a species if we don't play?   Schools ETC magazine spoke to Mike Greenaway, Director of Play Wales.

Child-friendly neighbourhoods: lessons from Europe   A look at the methods used across northern Europe to provide spaces for children and what the UK could learn from them.

Playing outside: Why children need to engage outside with nature   A look at so-called 'nature deficit disorder' and the detrimental effects on health and development for children who do not get to interact with nature.

Useful tips about communicating with parents about the importance of play   Some great tips on this US-based website.

How stranger danger changed the way children play   A look at how over the last 50 years children have moved from spending all their free time outside to just staying home. Check the comments for some nostalgic views.