ABSTRACT
How to Grow a Playspace takes you through a global perspective of the different stages of child development and the environments that engage children in play around the world. From the urbanity of Mumbai; to rainbow nets in Japan; nature play in Denmark; recycling waste in Peru; community building in Uganda; play streets in London; and gardens of peace in Palestine, it proves that no matter where play occurs, it is ubiquitous in its resourcefulness, imagination and effect.
Written by international leaders in the field of play including academics, designers and playworkers, How to Grow A Playspace discusses contemporary issues around children and play, such as risk benefit in play, creativity and technology, insights into children’s thinking, social inclusion and what makes a city child-friendly.
With its own ‘Potting Shed’, this text is also a practical guide to support playspace projects with advice on teams, budgets, community engagement, maintenance and standards. How to Grow a Playspace is a comprehensive ‘go-to’ guide for anyone interested or involved in children’s play and playspaces.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|1 pages
Ground
part II|3 pages
Sowing
chapter 1|76 pages
A History of Playspaces
chapter 2|6 pages
Fundamental Perceptions of and Ingredients for Play
chapter 3|63 pages
Insights into the Mind of the Child
chapter 4|11 pages
Play Environments and Affordances
chapter 7|27 pages
Of Agency, Participation and Design
chapter 8|6 pages
Designing Inclusive Playspaces
part III|4 pages
Seedlings
chapter 11|10 pages
The Natural Environment as Playspace
chapter 12|48 pages
Planting for Children’s Play
chapter 13|8 pages
Introducing Water Play Environments to Early Years Settings
chapter 14|10 pages
The Development of Forest School in the UK
chapter 16|7 pages
Reflections on Designing Lafayette Park Playground
part IV|1 pages
Sprouts
part |2 pages
Playspaces and Art
chapter 19|8 pages
Embedded Art in Playspaces
part |1 pages
Schools
chapter 22|11 pages
Quintessential Play Patterns in Schools
chapter 23|27 pages
When is a Slide Not a Slide?
chapter 24|20 pages
‘This Place is Like a Building Site… .’
chapter 25|10 pages
The Stepping Stones to Many Playgrounds
part V|4 pages
Saplings
chapter 29|7 pages
Lima and the Ever-Postponed Electric Train
chapter 32|9 pages
We are such Stuff as Dreams are made on
part VI|4 pages
The Potting Shed