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Playwork

by Rusty Keeler
November/December 2015
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Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/playwork/5022668/

Remember the days when kids were allowed to run barefoot, climb trees, build forts, and jump in the mud? When children had the free time to play and create with their own sense of purpose? Those days are not from long, long ago — they're happening now!

Adults everywhere are finding creative ways to provide the time, space, and materials that children need for healthy free play. In some places that means access to cardboard boxes for creative play. At others it could be a mound of dirt and a hose. All it really takes is a creative adult who is willing to say “Yes.” Yes to play. Yes to creative exploration. Yes to children. This can take guts! And patience. And deep breaths sometimes. But when you step back to let it happen and see children unfold into the flow of play, you know it's magic. We adults can support play, enhance play, protect play, but also prevent play — even inadvertently. Careful! Where can we look for help?

One of my places to look for inspiration has always been the world of playwork and adventure playgrounds of Europe. At first glance the seemingly laid-back philosophy of playwork and the junkyard appearance ...

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