Can I Go and Play Now?: Rethinking the Early Years

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Both are highly impactful and creative ways to bring learning to life based on the view that children are capable, creative and need agency in their education so that they are authentic learners and we can be authentic educators. If you are looking for a way to change your current thinking and practice then you can do no wrong picking up and reading this book.

Not only have I read this ‘EYFS bible’ but I’ve snipped bits for training, planned my next vision meeting and re designed my whole setting. I think in time, I have discovered one thing, but I won’t reveal it because it’s something that if you are willing to adventure into play, I’d love you to find it for yourself. Greg reminded us that children (and adults) love to adventure and that, in setting up our possibilities for adventure and imagination, we must not overlook early childhood schemas.I also go into schools and nurseries to help them on their adventures and that too has been amazing to see the impact. It was a transformative life moment as it also coincided with the birth of my daughter, Lauren, who in time truly showed me the World of Good Things. If you value childhood then you will see its magic – you will give children choice and autonomy within their day, you’ll enable the solidarity of play, you’ll give learning as a gift not a means to tick off a curriculum.

The world of education is an amazing and rewarding world to be in, but there is a sense among many that work within it that there is something not quite right, that all is not well. Greg’s checklist is a must when setting up your learning environment and planning your play and co play in early years. Cracks in the walls, secret tunnels, mythical creatures, heroes and villains, hidey holes and the Land Of Far Away are where Adventure Island come to life.The club has also created a positive classroom environment where children support and inspire one another. I will definitely be taking lots of ideas from this book and School and the Magic of Children into practise when we get back in September. I’ll be sharing the joy of Play Projects, The Message Centre, Drawing Club and How To Play all exploring the magic of children. I look forward to continuing to incorporate these incredible tools and suggestions into our learning opportunities. And on an international stage, Drawing Club is making its way across the continents - I wonder where its magic will end up next?