Play England has published a comprehensive review of the evidence underpinning current thinking on play.
It provides a detailed analysis of research and literature published since 2001 that underpins contemporary understandings of the importance of play and how this relates to social policy and practice.
Play for a change, by Stuart Lester and Wendy Russell of the University of Gloucestershire, is published in three formats: a 270-page full research report, a 60-page summary, and a 4-page introductory briefing paper. All are available to download here for free or to buy from NCB Books.
Due to the size of this book, it is available to download by each individual chapter:
1. Background, scope and key messages [995KB PDF]
2. National and local socio-political context [1.6MB PDF]
3. The importance of play in children's lives [5.88MB PDF]
4. Children's play patterns [2.63MB PDF]
5. From policy and theory into practice: provision for play [5.5MB PDF]
Appendix - Sources used and search terms [864KB PDF]
This 60-page summary gives an accessible insight into the research.
Download Play for a Change Summary report [1.77MB PDF].
The 4-page briefing can be found here.
You can buy printed copies of these and other Play England printed publications from NCB's account with Central Books:
Online: www.ncb.org.uk/books
Email: ncb@centralbooks.com
Call: 0845 458 9910
Fax: 0845 458 9912
Post: NCB, c/o Central Books, 99 Wallis Road, London E9 5LN
Play England is part of NCB and is supported by the Big Lottery Fund
