This post asks for your help in building the case for play. I am writing a report – aimed at Government – that gathers together evidence for the difference that play facilities and initiatives can make to children, families and communities. And I need your help in pulling together this evidence. I hope you agree this is an important and urgent task, given the scale of recent cuts to play facilities.
The project stems from the Children’s Play Policy Forum (CPPF – a cross-sector body bringing together agencies with an interest in play from across the UK). Last October, CPPF set up a round-table meeting with Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society at the Cabinet Office. The minister expressed an interest in children’s play, and asked for evidence of its relevance to Government’s policies and goals. As a result, CPPF – with financial support from the Association of Play Industries – has commissioned me to produce a short report on this evidence.
So what am I looking for? I want to gather credible, primary, quantitative material that shows the benefits of improving children’s opportunities for free play. The material could be academic studies, research, evaluation reports or other findings.
The project is a kind of literature review. It is not attempting to be systematic in an academic sense (unlike my Sowing the Seeds evidence report for the Mayor of London). But it is looking for material that has some authority – that is likely to persuade the sceptic. It is also focused on outcomes that are of interest to Government.
The project is not looking directly at structured or directed play in (for instance) early years, outdoor learning or therapeutic contexts Similarly, the project is not looking directly at the impact of childcare provision (such as out-of-school clubs). However, material from any of these areas will be considered, if they are relevant to free play contexts.
The project has a UK focus. However, material from other countries, especially those with similar cultures and economies, may well be relevant.
To summarise, I am looking for material that meets all of the following criteria. It should:
- Be primary material with quantitative data;
- Use a credible methodology (the way the data was gathered should be clear and sound);
- Be relevant to a UK context (though it could be from beyond the UK);
- Address outcomes that are of interest to Government. These could include:
- Mental and physical health and well-being
- Child development
- Learning and academic attainment
- Crime and anti-social behaviour
- Community cohesion and volunteering
- Be relevant to the following kinds of facilities and interventions:
- Unstaffed public play areas and similar facilities aimed at children and young people
- Staffed adventure playgrounds and other supervised play services
- Improving opportunities for free play in schools and early years and childcare settings
- Play in streets
How can you help? First, tell me about any relevant primary studies, reports or similar material that you are aware of. I cannot promise that material that is sent will end up in the report. Moreover, while I am happy to clarify what I am looking for, I may not be able to get into debates about specific material, because of time constraints and the urgency of the task. Material from an authoritative and/or independent source such as an academic institution or independent evaluator is more likely to be included. But convincing material from other sources may also make the grade. If you are unsure about the relevance of a particular piece of material, the following checklist should help you decide:
- Does your contribution meet all the criteria set out above?
- Quantitative, primary material
- Clear, credible methodology
- Addresses outcomes of interest to Government
- Relevant to free play situations and a UK context.
- Have you provided a source for your material – a report, academic paper, article or website? If not, have you pointed me to where I can find such a source?
You may be wondering whether I am looking for evidence on play per se, or on the impact of play facilities and initiatives. This is a good question, and my response is to throw the question back. This exercise is about building the policy case for different types of play interventions on the ground. However, it may be that more fundamental empirical evidence about play as a process is relevant to this.
Also, if you know of writings (such as academic or policy papers, discussion articles, or journalism) that might signpost relevant primary material, or any researchers or other people who I could contact, then likewise, get in touch.
How should you get in touch? The best way to submit evidence is to email me – the address is on my Contact page. Also, feel free to share your thoughts here, or via my Facebook page, twitter, LinkedIn or my page on Academia.edu. I would also be very grateful if you could share this request to anyone you think may be able to help.
Finally, here’s a deadline for contributions: Monday 3 March 2014.
Thanks in advance for your help in building the case for play. The plan is that the report will be published, so that you and others can make use of it.
