Taking Play Seriously

October 12, 2011 by
Filed under: General 

Hi folks, I was sitting in a plane on Monday heading to Boston (to celebrate Project Adventure’s 40th anniversary this weekend), and read with interest the following newspaper articles from The Age (10/10/11):

  • Exercise Linked To Higher Test Scores - in short, the more your students move and play, the more they learn in ALL areas of their education.
  • Let The Children Play – New National Guidelines Advise - finally, official recognition that play makes a powerful difference to the quality of kid’s learning.

And, then today, Don MacDowall passed on a note regarding next week’s forum ‘Taking Play Seriously’ which, sadly, I can’t get to but figured some of you (in VIC) would be interested. Here’s the details (click here for pdf):

Taking Play Seriously forum: encouraging debate on risk and active recreation to assist in identifying the next steps for strategy and policy. Includes international keynote speaker Tim Gill, one of the UK’s leading thinkers on childhood and advocate for change.

Wednesday 19 October 2011, 2:00pm to 4.30pm
 State Library, Village Roadshow Theatrette, Entry 3, 179 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
RSVP By Wednesday 12 October to rsvp@vichealth.vic.gov.au or call 0408 147 914

Enjoy!

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Comments

3 Comments on Taking Play Seriously

  • Tom Gardner on Fri, 21st Oct 2011 11:43 pm

Mark,
I stumbled across your blog thru the ropes online list serve. I wanted to compliment you on the blog. It is very well done and informative. I love the stuff on the paper flyers and will be experimenting with them with groups here in the US.
I also wanted to mention, I was part of a training in the 90′s at a Community Policing location in Syracuse, NY and I think you may have been one of the PA trainers. We played outside in a small city park near the police center. If that was you, I want to thank you for one particular variation of Toss a Name that I still often use with my groups. The end of the activity the group ends up juggling a bunch of stuff while passing a cup of water.
I will be a regular visitor of your blog for new ideas for my own groups. Can’t wait to try moonwalking.
Thanks again.
Tom Gardner
Team Adventure

  • Culinary Team Building on Sat, 22nd Oct 2011 3:15 am

Great articles on a fascinating topic!

Wow Tom, what a wonderful surprise. Yes, you got it, I was that person in Syracuse all those years ago, working alongside Jim Grout and one other trainer? Great to hear from you (and to know that what I shared still resonates :-) . I’ve just returned from celebrating Project Adventure’s 40th anniversary which was an awesome affair. I have some wonderful videos to post here soon… keep in touch, and thanks so much for saying hi, Mark

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