In this episode we learn about Democratic Education and the theory of the Play Cycle from Educator and Parent, Mathilda Element, from Pine Community School in Brisbane. We chat about the key concepts behind democratic education and consensus decision making that underpin the values at Pine Community School, as well as the importance of multi-age play and the details of a child’s Play Cycle.
We discuss:
1. Play Drive: All play begins with the play drive that is the instinctive desire and need to play
2. Play Cue: From this drive the child may produce an action which can be very subtle or very obvious
3. Play Return: The feedback a child receives from a play cue is called a play return.
4. Play Flow: This is established once the play has commenced, and is a continuation of cues and returns.
5. Play Frame: The process of play is ‘contained’ by the play frame. The play frame can be a material boundary that keeps the play intact; the rules of the game or understanding between the participants. A frame can be many things – a table, a playground or something broader
6. Play Annihilation: When the flow of play is terminated by children. This can be the end of the game or perhaps the destruction of a recently constructed model
7. Play Adulteration: If an adult intervenes and tries to lead or force it they will be denying the play drive purpose and adulterating the child play
Resources Referred To
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