Staff Tool 11 Facilitating the beginning, middle and end of a play session Although children will find space and time to play independently, they value the time they spend in a dedicated play session. Every play session will have a beginning, middle and end.
Top tips: Beginnings It is important to get the session or programme off to a good start. Here are some ways you can begin a session effectively. Find out what you need to know:
• Number of children • Ages • Staff numbers • Resources available • Space – where is it? What is it like? • How long is the session? • Gain some knowledge of the environment, space and culture
• Learn some basic words in the children’s languages such as play, thank you, hello, goodbye, my name is, stop
• Be responsive to the situation. Reflect
on your observations. What do the children need and want?
• Work alongside other services such as health and education
• Talk to the other adults to help them
understand about the importance of play. Try using childhood memories to make the case
• Respect what is happening already – be
diplomatic of what others are trying to achieve
• Understand conditions of trauma and the
potential behaviour of children and families experiencing it
• Prepare yourself. Learn from the people
• Start when you say you will – be on time and be ready!
• Stay safe – learn what is the situation from a leader (formal or informal) and talk to the children
already there – is there a routine?
• Be clear about what you will provide – stick to this, don’t promise what you can’t give or do.
Ideas for getting things started
• Clapping games • Parachute games • Rhymes/songs
• Counting games • Setting out interesting resources.
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