Positive Play Activities Manual

An activities manual and guide for Positive Play at break-times

by Val Sabin 2004

This positive play manual for playground supervisors includes over 200 outdoor and indoor games and strategies for dealing with the main issues occurring at break-times. Children can spend over 20% of their school day out of lessons in the school grounds. This manual helps schools develop very positive playing environments by utilising their grounds in the most creative, positive and cost effective ways. Some creative thinking, more effective supervision, good organisation and the redistribution of equipment can quickly transform and improve the attitudes, activities and safety in a playground without spending a lot of money. Through the provision of bright, safe and stimulating environments as well as "quiet" areas, Positive Playgrounds and playing areas support improvements in the health of children, the encouragement of cognitive development, help in the development of social skills and help in reducing bullying.

The introduction section of the manual shows how to analyse the schools' present facilities and environment and how to develop them. Zoning the playground is explored along with detailed guidance on type, use and organisation of small equipment and the provision of a playground games box. There are 206 outdoor and indoor games which are categorised and presented in a form which can be easily converted into cards for the game box. The outdoor games categories are:- Problem solving and creative games and activities, Games and activities using small equipment, Games and activities without small equipment, Challenges, Chasing games, Quiet games, Structured mini-games and parachute games. There are also suggestions for over 50 indoor games activities for the dreaded wet lunch-hours! The games have been designed to suit a wide range of abilities and ages across the Primary School. A complete "lunch-time Supervisors Guide" is included in the manual and there are a large number of ideas for playground markings and games.

Training courses for lunch-time supervisors are available from Positive Play Licensed Trainers. Phone (01604) 580974 for details.

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