Wednesday, December 04, 2002
Sorrow Swing - play is not always fun
The PlayLink publication, Making Sense, playwork in practice, is a remarkably sensitive guide to facilitating children's play in public spaces. I know of no equivalent publication, and am profoundly indebted to its authors and sponsors for making such a useful, compassionate, well-informed document available to us, online, for free.
Here's a taste of the depth and wisdom of this guide, from a section called "Sorrow Swing."
Robbie and Becky clung tightly to each other and the rope that supported the tyre swing they were sitting on, slowly swaying backwards and forwards, slowly turning round and around. Their father had recently died.
A playworker stood a discreet distance away, close enough to suggest the offer of support if required, far enough away to respect their need for solitude.
Occasionally children would approach the worker, complaining that Robbie and Becky's turn on the swing was over. She would simply say that they needed more time. Each time the two came to the playground they made their way over to the swing and sat there, drifting backwards and forwards, alone with their thoughts. The other children had begun to respect the swing as being their space when they wanted it, although the worker continued to maintain her strategic position just in case.
After a few days Robbie and Becky approached the worker and asked if they could do some painting. She led them into the building and their gentle re-introduction to regular playground life had begun.
playwork focus
1. Play has a tremendous therapeutic value
a) Regrettably people very often face great trauma early in their lives. The playgrounds often become places of security for children in their changing world and for some, the workers become significant adults in their lives.
b) Play therapy has long been used with children that have suffered trauma. Very often, though, children create their own ways of solving their problems.
c) Play is not always fun.
Here's a taste of the depth and wisdom of this guide, from a section called "Sorrow Swing."
Robbie and Becky clung tightly to each other and the rope that supported the tyre swing they were sitting on, slowly swaying backwards and forwards, slowly turning round and around. Their father had recently died.
A playworker stood a discreet distance away, close enough to suggest the offer of support if required, far enough away to respect their need for solitude.
Occasionally children would approach the worker, complaining that Robbie and Becky's turn on the swing was over. She would simply say that they needed more time. Each time the two came to the playground they made their way over to the swing and sat there, drifting backwards and forwards, alone with their thoughts. The other children had begun to respect the swing as being their space when they wanted it, although the worker continued to maintain her strategic position just in case.
After a few days Robbie and Becky approached the worker and asked if they could do some painting. She led them into the building and their gentle re-introduction to regular playground life had begun.
playwork focus
1. Play has a tremendous therapeutic value
a) Regrettably people very often face great trauma early in their lives. The playgrounds often become places of security for children in their changing world and for some, the workers become significant adults in their lives.
b) Play therapy has long been used with children that have suffered trauma. Very often, though, children create their own ways of solving their problems.
c) Play is not always fun.
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