Playful Strategies

Play-based Strategies

What is High-Quality Child-Led Play?

Play is human right and essential part of childhood, critical to human development, health, wellbeing and super fun and joyful.

Play is also, for adults, a very subjective term, meaning we all have different meaning of what play is...

TAKING THE CHILD PERSPECTIVE

If we take a child's view or position of 'what is play' often this does not align with the grown-ups version.

Psychologist's have been examining this concept for decades and this is the foundation of AIP's position on play, which consists largely of 4 characteristics including:

a. children Intrinsically motivated - they do it because they love it

b. self-directed - children are directing what they are doing

c. autonomous - children can do it without an adult

d. freely chosen - children choose what they are doing

THREE ADDITIONAL INGREDIANTS

On top of this, AIP ensures 3 additional characteristics are part of all our playful efforts, opportunities and conditions.

1. Face-to-face - children need other children present

2. Embodied - children use all senses

3. Active - children physically move as part of the play

This is a key pillar of AIP's strategies to o ensure there are lots of space, time, acceptance and opportunity for children to play. It's a method of how AIP are delivering for children on their expressed play needs.

The Australian Institute of Play support community to create playful opportunities for children. To take the lead, collaborate and role model, high quality child-led free play provision for their community.

The Australian Institute of Play is always eager to meet new play friends, seeking collaboration and inclusion with children, families and services.

Play-based services AIP provide include: