Staff Tool 7 Placemaking Consider how you will define and secure a place for children to play if there isn’t a designated space. In an outdoor area, you could define a space using:
• a rope on the ground • a circle of stones or logs • a blanket or a shower curtain
• a chalk circle • a flag or banner • a shelter.
Sounds such as a bell, music, loud hailer, drums or whistles will attract children to a play space. Tents, shelters, banners, balloons and flags will create a focal point and provide a message to the wider community that play is important and necessary for children.
• a curtain • tarpaulin • parachute
• furniture • rope.
Whilst it is important to be sensitive to the other services operating in the space, it is also important that they value and recognise the important contribution that playing makes to overall child wellbeing. Sometimes, sharing a space helps others recognise how important a play service is and these colleagues can help you to secure a more appropriate place for playing.
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Staff section
In an indoor area, you may be in a shared building with other services, consider marking the space for playing with:
SECTION 2
Do not underestimate the importance of a trusted adult in creating a space for play. Sometimes the presence of that adult, there to support play, is all that is required to indicate that play can happen there.
