Six Simple Principles of Play

I’m excited to share a wonderful framework, developed by Playworks, to help you create fun, free and totally inclusive moments of play with your groups.

Playworks is a non-profit organisation that works with schools and school districts (primarily in the United States) to promote the value and importance of playtime. We love what they do because they help kids stay active and build valuable social and emotional skills through play. They, too, understand that playing fun group games is a fantastic way to help kids grow and connect.

In a recent post, Playworks shared their Six Simple Principles of Play – click here to download their PDF.

1. Every kid has the opportunity to play every day – from the classroom to the playground and in the neighbourhood.
2. Kids get to choose to play and to choose games that make them happy.
3. Kids have the right tools to resolve playground conflicts on their own.
4. Adults play alongside kids, modelling and supporting a culture of trust, positivity and inclusion.
5. Play is not treated as a reward to be revoked.
6. Everyone is welcome to join in the game because playing together is a great way to build community.

Awesome stuff. Not hard. Extremely valuable.

Consider sharing this with your school, or a friend or colleague today.

Contributor Mark Collard