Positive Playtimes


Book Description

Playtimes can be a source of tension and anxiety for children, causing unhappiness and underachievement. This book demonstrates how these problems can be avoided, illustrating the systems and procedures that are vital for producing an emotionally healthy school.




101 Wet Playtime Games and Activities


Book Description

Picture this, you are a busy classroom teacher, it's almost lunchtime on a Tuesday and it has started to pour with torrential rain. If your school has a wet playtime policy then everyone in the school will be clear about the procedures, your wet play box will be organised and children will have a stimulating, rewarding playtime experience. However, if you are like a lot of schools across the country you will be scrambling around trying to find activities to entertain the children or you will have just discovered your wet play box needs replenishing! The problem with wet playtimes is that they happen haphazardly, we never know when they are going to occur and often we are completely unprepared. The aim of this book is to make sure you are prepared and that you have a wealth of ideas up your sleeve. Through intensive research, the author gathered feedback from teachers, children, lunchtime supervisors, parents and classroom assistants and discovered that you wanted a book that is inspiring, user friendly, and packed with activities, games and ideas that are easy to implement. To make it as easy as possible to use, it includes lots of copiable activities and ideas that support schools in creating a wet playtime policy that will lead to happier playtimes. It includes the following: Easy to run, stimulating activities and games that can be quickly organised at short notice. A selection of copiable resources that can be quickly printed off the CD-ROM or photocopied from the book. Ideas to help implement a wet playtime policy. Creative ideas to support you in organising wet play. Structures for behaviour management at wet playtimes including rewards and encouragers to celebrate children who play well. Suggestions for wet play activity boxes and lots of creative ideas for your wet play themed boxes. So here it is, jam packed with creative ideas, activities, games and activity pages to make those rainy days rainbow filled. Have fun and remember, 'Play is regarded as essential to life long learning, creativity and wellbeing,' Wood (2007).




101 Playground Games


Book Description

101 Playground Games is a collection of active and engaging school playground games that will encourage active learning and social development among children at playtime, this second edition has been updated to include a wealth of new games from around the world. The school playground plays a crucial role in developing all aspects of children’s behaviour and interpersonal learning, and yet there is a growing awareness that children today do not play in the same sociable ways as previous generations. Encouraging children to play games can be hugely beneficial not only for their physical health but also for their social, emotional and mental health. This brilliant resource includes a practical toolkit of photocopiable and downloadable materials along with clear instructions for adults on how to organise a range of different types of games, including: • traditional games • chasing and catching games • singing and dancing games • skipping games and rhymes • parachute games • quiet games • co-operative games Ideal for teachers, lunchtime supervisors, breakfast and after school club leaders as well as group leaders for organisations such as scouts or guides to promote lively and enjoyable games, this book is particularly suited to children aged 5–11 years but can easily be adapted for older children. 101 Playground Games is a book that will make any playtime a richer experience for all.




The Social Play Record


Book Description

This is a practical resource for assessing and developing social play in children with autistic spectrum disorders or difficulties with social interaction. It is suitable for assessing children of all learning abilities and stages of development, from early infancy to adolescence, and includes photocopiable assessment and intervention materials.




Play Therapy


Book Description

This authoritative work brings together leading play therapists to describe state-of-the-art clinical approaches and applications. The book explains major theoretical frameworks and summarizes the contemporary play therapy research base, including compelling findings from neuroscience. Contributors present effective strategies for treating children struggling with such problems as trauma, maltreatment, attachment difficulties, bullying, rage, grief, and autism spectrum disorder. Practice principles are brought to life in vivid case illustrations throughout the volume. Special topics include treatment of military families and play therapy interventions for adolescents and adults.




ASPIRE to Wellbeing and Learning for All in Early Years and Primary


Book Description

This truly accessible resource shows primary school practitioners how to help every student feel valued and included in school so that they develop confidence, resilience, love of learning, a positive sense of self and healthy relationships. Sue Roffey presents a visionary and unique approach to education underpinned by clear principles that can be practically applied in all settings. It is aligned with healthy child development, and addresses what all children need if they are to learn and thrive, including those who experience difficulties and disadvantages. She envisages an education system fit for purpose where all pupils can thrive and make progress in learning, where wellbeing for everyone is at the heart of every school. She uses ASPIRE as an acronym for Agency, Safety, Positivity, Inclusion, Respect and Equity. These principles, when threaded through everything that happens in a school, can genuinely enhance both wellbeing and learning. This resource features a chapter for each principle which explores what this means, why it matters and how it can be applied in early years, primary classrooms and across primary schools. Although visionary, the book is based on both substantial evidence and good practice, with each chapter supported by case studies from across the world. The book demonstrates the positive difference each principle makes to children in primary school settings as well as teachers, parents and the overall community. It is a must-read for primary school teachers, tutors, school leaders, psychologists, parents and anyone who wants an education system that is inclusive, holistic and effective for all students.




101 Playground Games


Book Description

The school playground plays a crucial role in developing all aspects of children's behaviour and interpersonal learning. Yet there is a growing awareness that children today do not play in the same sociable ways as previous generations. This resource provides a practical toolkit of ideas to promote lively and enjoyable games. It draws on traditional games and also introduces a wealth of new ones including: * Chasing and catching games * Skipping games and rhymes * Singing and dancing games * Parachute games * Quiet games * Circle games * Cooperative games * Games from around the world.




How to Be a Peaceful School


Book Description

Peace is needed now more than ever in schools, by pupils and teachers alike. This inspiring guide provides primary, secondary and special schools with practical methods to improve pupil and teacher wellbeing, combat bullying, and promote peace both inside and outside the school gates. The founder of the Peaceful Schools Movement, Anna Lubelska, has brought together ideas and stories from teachers and charity workers to present a simple four step system for promoting positive peace in individuals, relationships, the school community and the world. It covers how to reduce stress, promote positive mental health, resolve conflict, nurture the potential of each individual, and encourage children to develop peacemaking skills and values. This holistic resource is equally beneficial for children and staff, and transforms school environments for the better.




Play Skills for Parents


Book Description

Most parents and caregivers know playing with their child is beneficial. What can feel much less clear, however, is just how to go about engaging in playtime. Here to dispel any feelings of uncertainty and anxiety around this subject is Play Skills for Parents. This informative yet easy-to-read guide to parent-child play is based on research in developmental psychology and parent-child relationships, as well as author Kathy Eugster’s over twenty years of experience in counselling and play therapy (not to mention her experience as a parent and grandparent herself!). Play Skills for Parents goes beyond merely listing potential play activities. Instead, Eugster highlights nine essential skills for facilitating parent-child play, thoroughly explains why, when, and how to use each skill, and provides an abundance of examples showing each skill in action. In addition, Eugster guides parents and caregivers through: • How play can foster healthy child development and strengthen the parent-child relationship • How to engage in child-led and parent-led play • Why child-led play can especially enhance a child’s development • Numerous examples of types of play activities, including calming activities for emotional regulation • How to set up play areas for different types of playtime • How the playtime skills can be applied in other life activities • And more! Perfect for any parent or caregiver of children ages three to ten, Play Skills for Parents won’t just bolster your confidence and communication skills during playtime—it will give you a new appreciation for this special time spent with your child.




Creating Excellence in Primary School Playtimes


Book Description

School playtimes account for 20% of a child's school life, but how can schools ensure that this time is as beneficial as possible for primary school pupils? Emphasising the importance of play in child development, this book identifies the key challenges facing schools during break times and sets out a complete strategy for effectively managing playtimes that are fun-filled and offer children greater long-term benefits. With before and after case studies showing how school playtimes have been transformed through the author's OPAL Primary Programme, this book demonstrates how to improve common issues such as behaviour, staffing, space and facilities in a sustainable way that capitalises on investments in equipment and training. Promoting wellbeing and healthy child development, this book provides inspiring reading for primary school staff and play workers, and creative ideas and ready-to-use solutions that will help schools to meet Ofsted criteria for excellent play.