Justine was one half of Journey into Play, an Australia based Professional Development group that worked with Malarkey. We had just finished touring together. She was a student in our Playworker Development Course and spent a lot of time with us during our visit to Australia. We were really pleased and thankful that Justine took the time to write a blog post about her most recent playwork moment.
Introduction to Justine Walsh
Justine became aware that playwork existed in 2012. From the moment she heard about it, it made so much sense to her. Children directing their own play had been what she strived for within her own practice for years. She envisioned a space where play was for play’s sake, with no other agendas. People actively worked to set aside their own agendas, focusing only on the play needs of the child. Justine had been moving away from the idea of ‘teaching’ and ticking boxes. Instead, she aimed for a space where play was the most important aspect, where they facilitated play above and beyond anything else.
She called the following account her playwork moment, even though she was not a trained playworker. Justine owned every second of it. Has it changed her life? Quite possibly. It certainly made her want to create, reflect and work towards more of these moments.
Playwork Moment
Her playwork moment occurred during a training session that she and her business partner Nicole facilitated. Their business, Journey into Play, ran professional developments for people within the Early Childhood Sector. This particular training included opportunities for participants to play with various loose parts.
One participant was playing with a shiny tubular piece of insulation material. As Justine walked past her, the participant asked if there were any scissors. Justine went and retrieved a pair. When she handed them over, the participant asked, “Can I cut this open?” Justine replied, “Of course.”
Observing and Anticipating Needs
She then walked away and watched from afar. The participant cut the tubular material down one side and opened it out flat. A couple of other people joined her and they started to flap the material like a parachute.
As the play evolved, Justine saw the material start to get wrapped around one person’s head and then her body. When the wrapping began, Justine thought they would need something to hold the material in place.
Without saying a word, she picked up a roll of tape. Then, she walked behind the group and placed the tape slightly out of sight. They wrapped and unwrapped the material. Justine noticed one participant holding the material with her hand while looking around for something to hold it together. She needed the material to stay in place.
As she turned to look, there it was—the tape! The participant reached for it, grabbed it, and began to use it. Justine felt too excited!
That was her playwork moment. It was a moment of triumph. Justine anticipated someone else’s play needs and quietly provided the needed materials. She had done this with her cloak of invisibility on. Her play ninja moves were effective. There was no need to ask what the participant wanted; Justine had anticipated it. She didn’t have to interrupt the play to ask.
This is how we can engage with the children we work with. There is no need for us to constantly interrupt or question. If we step back and observe, we can sense what is needed.
This moment is one Justine will not forget.
This blog post was originally written for Justine’s personal blog. To find out more about playwork, you too can be part of our Playworker Development Course. Get in contact to find out more! And finally, we will be seeing Justine again in October – if you want to find out more about our next Australia trip, please get in contact with Team Malarkey.
By Justine Walsh