Lunchtimes are an often-forgotten part of the school day – they don’t fit into curriculum time at school, and yet play-times are a vital part of a child’s school day.
A positive lunchtime play experience for the child can lead to a more positive afternoon learning environment, and happier lunchtime staff!
The Play@Playtime project aims to support schools to improve their play-time experiences by offering play and related training to Lunchtime supervisors, looking at the physical environment of the play ground and wet-play options, and a host of ideas about ways of working positively with children.
Currently we are working with Two Mile Ash school initially working with the midday supervisors and a group of children who have been nominated as ‘play leaders’ upskilling them around the importnace of play, the play types, the play cycle and the play principles. The feedback is very encouraging and very positive.
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Each school has different needs for lunchtime, and so each Play@Playtime is tailored to fit those needs. Please call if you would like to discuss options.
This term, students and Midday Supervisors from Two Mile Ash School have been undergoing training with Milton Keynes Play Association’s ‘Play at Playtime Project’. 26 keen year six students have become ‘Positive Play Leaders’, and have completed a week of training at lunchtimes, tailored to the facilities at the school. Today they were awarded their certificates.
They now use new skills such as running group games, building toys, and running bug hunts in the woodland area for younger children attending the school, all supervised and kept safe by their Midday Supervisors, who also had an input in the training, using their own play memories to help run games and activities such as skipping and chalking hopscotch grids.
‘This initiative has already had a huge impact on the children at lunchtimes and the enthusiasm is amazing said Shirley Townsend, Deputy Head of Two Mile Ash School – “This is the best thing we’ve ever done- I love playtimes now,” said a Year 4 pupil to me on her way into the Forest Play area! A Year 6 boy said “I love how we can just choose to go and play anywhere now – it’s great!” The teachers have also already noticed a difference too and afternoons are much calmer.’
If you would like the Play@Playtime project to visit your school call Steve Harrison, Community Play Development Officer on 01908 263 033 or email steve@mkpa.co.uk
