Why playtime matters – and how to make it work

Playtimes in schools are under pressure. Children are playing 50% less than a generation ago, behaviour is getting harder to manage, and playtime is getting squeezed out.

In this episode, Liz Worthen talks to Positive Playtime champion Thérèse Hoyle – coach, author and founder of the Positive Playtime Award Programme – about why play is so vital for children's wellbeing, learning and resilience, and how schools can make it work in practice.

We address common barriers to play in schools, including:

• How to navigate concerns about risky play, bring parents on board, and build a culture where children learn to assess risk themselves
• How to upskill and deploy lunchtime supervisors more effectively
• How to make equipment last longer and keep children more engaged
• How to make creative use of limited playground space with a zoning approach.

Struggling with playground behaviour, staff deployment at lunchtime, or getting the most from a limited budget? Listen for straightforward, actionable ideas.

Thérèse Hoyle is Director and Founder of Positive Playtimes and the Positive Playtime Award programme. An experienced coach and teacher, she regularly consults and advises schools on play, behaviour management, mental health, and the social and emotional needs of children and teens.

Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities.

• Check out recommended reads in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools
• Join the Creating Value in Schools community: https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/
• Thérèse’s books: https://positive-playtimes.com/product-category/books/
• Read about why play matters: https://positive-playtimes.com/why-play-matters-the-hidden-cost-of-screens-and-a-play-poor-childhood/
• Staff deployment examples: https://positive-playtimes.com/are-you-using-your-staffing-effectively-in-your-playground/
• Access the why play matters report: https://positive-playtimes.com/why-play-matters/
• Download the Raising the Nation Play Commission report: https://www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/play-commission
• Mental Health Foundation statistics: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/children-young-people-statistics
• Information from Play England: https://www.playengland.org.uk/
• Access 10 playground games: https://positive-playtimes.com/free-playground-games/

 

00:00 Welcome and guest

00:57 Playtime crisis today

02:35 Why play gets squeezed

04:31 Screens and equity

07:28 When play works

09:58 Mud sticks and rules

12:20 Risky play fears

16:29 Staffing and training

23:16 Equipment craze cycle

28:26 Zoning concrete playgrounds

33:58 Books and final thoughts

#education #sustainableschools #childhood