Promoting Play in Schools: A Conversation with Michael Follett of Opal Outdoor Play and Learning

Support The Forest School Podcast on Patreon for bonus episodes and ad-free episodes at ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠www.patreon.com/theforestschoolpodcast⁠⁠ 🌲🎧. Find out about our sessions and Forest School Leader Training in Devon, UK at www.children-of-the-forest.com — Guest Info: https://outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/ — Sponsors:Carbonfarmers.world for Tawi Stoves!Visit ⁠HelloFresh⁠ to get 60% off your 1st box + 25% off for 2 months + free gifts! Sign up with ⁠Skillshare⁠ for 30% off annual membershipProtect your computer with ⁠Nord VPN⁠ --- Summary Michael Follett discusses the importance of outdoor play and learning in schools and the need for a structured approach to play in the curriculum. He highlights the impact of COVID-19 on children's play and the detrimental effects of limiting playtime. The report emphasizes the intrinsic benefits of play and the need for training and support for playwork in schools. The role of forest school in promoting play and the importance of a broad definition of learning are also discussed. The conversation explores the use of unconventional resources in play, the design of play spaces, the importance of the journey between activity spots, the gender bias in school playgrounds, the imbalance in sports funding, the design of play spaces for social spaces and rest, the research on loose parts and the importance of social gatherings, the balance between safety and privacy in play spaces, and the future of play and the ambition for every child to have an awesome playtime. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:28 Overview of Outdoor Play and Learning 01:16 Michael's Experience in Playwork and Education 02:44 Structured School Improvement Approach 03:39 Importance of Play in Schools 04:01 The Role of Playworking and Forest School 04:40 The Plan for Play and its Purpose 05:15 Collaboration with All-Party Parliamentary Group 06:21 Impact of Ratios and Clothing on Playtime 07:19 Economical Benefits of Play in Schools 07:49 Importance of Training for Playwork in Schools 08:26 Perception of Risk and Rough and Tumble Play 09:10 Importance of Rough and Tumble Play 10:14 Children's Ability to Self-Regulate in Play 12:16 Impact of Clothing on Play 14:16 Changes in Modern Childhood and Play 15:11 The Need for Play in Various Settings 18:01 Impact of COVID-19 on Children's Play 19:19 The Detrimental Impact of COVID-19 on Play 20:18 The Importance of Play in Learning 21:13 Impact of Playtime on Behavior 22:07 The Role of Forest School in Promoting Play 23:03 The Importance of Play in Learning 24:13 The Role of Play in Child Development 25:28 The Range of Play in Schools 26:29 The Overlap of Playwork and Forest School 27:36 The Importance of Intrinsic Play 28:49 The Narrow Definition of Learning and Education 30:40 Using unconventional resources to facilitate play 35:05 Designing play spaces and the importance of the journey between activity spots 36:04 Creating excellence in primary school playtimes 37:26 Gender bias in school playgrounds 40:08 Addressing the imbalance in sports funding 42:21 Designing play spaces for social spaces and rest 44:29 Research on loose parts and the importance of social gatherings 46:00 Balancing safety and privacy in play spaces 48:03 Managing risk and the perception of risk in play environments 50:35 The future of play and the ambition for every child to have an awesome playtime