Evolutionary Playwork

Play is a crucial component in the development of all children. In this fully updated and revised edition of his classic playwork text, Bob Hughes explores the complexities of children#xE2;#xAC;"s play, its meaning and purpose, and argues that adult-free play is essential for the psychological well-being of the child. The book is divided into three broad sections. The first examines the fundamentals of evolutionary playwork, from creating the right play environment to issues of safety and participation. Secondly, the book explores the key theoretical concepts underlying playwork. Finally, the book offers important models to help playworkers develop their own professional practice. Throughout the text, Hughes brings his arguments to life with vivid personal reflections on a lifetime#xE2;#xAC;"s experience of play and playwork, while the book also incorporates dedicated material for parents looking to better understand and enhance the development of their own children. This revised edition reflects important recent advances in our understanding of the evolutionary history of play and its impact on the development of the brain, of the role play in the development of resilience, and of the impact of play deprivation. With each advance in our theoretical understanding, Hughes draws important implications for playwork in practice. Evolutionary Playworkis still the only book to combine the reality of playwork practice with the fundamentals of evolutionary and developmental psychology, and it is still essential reading for all playwork students, practitioners and researchers.