A page for sharing the various ideas, resources, and our progress thus far on this exciting new project.
Often wise to start with the Actions agreed, so here in no particular order they are:
- Gus to set up WhatsApp group for attendees of initial planning evening (done).
- Gus to explore the waterproofing of the old bin store, to hold various materials.
- Gus to find out how many attendees for the PALS training, and communicate to others so that we can schedule it. Can we invite parents and others, and organise transport from 1SG?
- One-off Saturday play session to be organised, with children, parents, Nudel Kart, Slush, tea, coffee etc etc etc…..
- Weekly Play sessions to run after school Thursdays, from 2nd June 2022. Allows for maximum eight sessions before the Summer holidays, and then a meeting/session to reflect on what we have learnt, and how to proceed.
- Nudel Kart training session is Wednesday 6th April, 7:30pm to 10pm. Need as many to attend as possible who are interested in coordinating sessions! Will also be a further session, once we have used the Nudel Kart a bit more.
Initial planning evening
Friday 11th March 2022, 6pm to 9pm
A group of us from SCT and FUSE came together to assemble the wonderful Nudel Kart, to share ideas, and to plan how to launch a Play project from the OneStonegrove centre.
The next morning I thought that I didn’t actually explain fully my thoughts and journey so far, so made this quick video:
One of our main activities was building the Nudel Kart – here is an unboxing video:
Nudel Kart unboxing video (our video)
External links:
Nudel Kart videos, from Playground Ideas Youtube channel
Whilst James led the Nudel Kart building, we worked together on some questions. Here is the Google Photos link, with photos of the sheets where we recorded our answers, plus some general photos of the evening, and of the (now) completed Nudel Kart!
Google Photos Nudel Ninjas photo album
Recorded answers from each question/sheet
Describe the places you most enjoyed Playing
Playground. Gardens where I used to live. School playground. The park. Outdoors – parks, fields, PGL trip. The park. Tents, trees, hammocks, rivers. Garden. Parks and estate. Log cabins. Haywards Adventure playground. Rivers, lakes, beaches, countryside. Parks and estate. Trees. Rocks.
Describe the places your children most enjoy Playing
Park. In the garden. In the paddling pool. Climbing stuff that is not designed for it.
Please share your most memorable experiences of Play
Dancing. ‘IT’ the game. Make-believe with friends in our school playground. Falling asleep in a tree and everyone thinking I was lost. Drawing and painting. Rock climbing. Bulldog Collecting natural resources and making something useful. Teaching dance. Dancing. Playing round the maze. Recycling resources to make play toy. Playing hopscotch with other children from the estate. Playing tennis in the rain for two hours when I was meant to be inside. Playing on the climbing frame at school. Playing in the “baby park” right outside of my block of flats and riding my bike.
What is missing that this project can bring?
Parents to come together. Food & refreshments for participants. Insects. Parent champions. Parent workshops – tools for parents to continue to continue engagement after/outside of the session. Art. A place for people to meet in a large group, and play together and share ideas. Making the estate more colourful. More grass. A place where parents can learn what their children love doing and how well they get along with other children,
Who should be involved, but is not here today?
Children. Children. Residents. Parents. Children. Young people who want to get into youth/play work. Play work trainers. Children. Children. People from estate. Parents. Community. Other community leaders who can promote the project. Parents. More people with experience of this work.
What can you offer to the project, or how would you like to be involved?
Bring fun. My big smile. To make young children happy and smile. Enjoying the time with the children. Whatever worries the children help them to free their mind through play. Happy to engage with parents and promote amongst our networks HB. Staff HB. I have experience working with kids creatively. I will be bringing my son HB. Being creative. I have a lot of patience DK. I am caring DK. I have experience working with children DK. I am willing to learn DK. I would like to develop skills required to effectively work with young children and be involved with the sessions DK. I want to hear what kids want for their play. Inviting children to join. Like to learn something new SA. I would like to gain more experience with younger children MC. I would like to offer skills like being understanding and empathetic, but also being fun and creative MC.
What are the barriers to success, or what is currently missing?
Confidence. Awareness. Money. Teamwork. Collaboration.
What results do we expect to see as an outcome of the project?
Happy children. Children showing their creativity. Academic improvements. Children using their imagination. Increase in social capital :). Play work embedded in 1SG & the community, and Barnet, (and Harrow!) Social interaction. Parents aware of value of quality self-directed play. Kid inspiration. Mum’s building relationships creating support networks.
Other useful links and information, as mentioned above, or elsewhere in our discussions:
Serena Keymatlian – our trainer for the PARS Play training
Somerford Grove Adventure Playground, where the training will take place.
Hanover primary school – one of our initial inspirations for loose parts play provision
Play Profile document for Burnt Oak, with some interesting wider Barnet references
Click on Login/register and set yourself up an account. You can then access the Free resources section of the website. The publications are mostly aimed at schools as that is mainly who they work with, but they will also be very useful for us!
If you complete the online courses, please do share that fact with us, and any certificates/confirmation that you receive! Very useful for funding bids to show that people have undergone training.
Opal Play publications
Making Play a key part of the school day
Ten tips for improving active play at your school
The power of playtimes (this is the one to print or just share digitally with parents).
The case for play in schools (Adriana you’ll want this one!)
Play – a report by the all party parliamentary group on a fit and healthy childhood
London Play – information on Playwork training.
Anyone who would be interested in completing an NVQ in Playwork to let Gus or Harriet know. If we have enough people, then we will explore the costs, and whether it is viable to run organise this!