A squeal from across the room captures your attention. You observe a lively scene unfold: children, engulfed in the thrill of a spontaneous game of tag, navigate through the space, dodging around the construction area and the art easels. As an educator, you recognise this moment’s potential. The challenge now is to guide this surge of energy into a structured, enriching experience that not only prioritises safety but also fosters holistic development, fostering physical, emotional, and social growth.
Within this booklet, we have prepared 20 carefully constructed learning experiences, each designed to support you in transforming contentious play concerns into opportunities for children to engage, explore, and learn. From setup instructions and facilitation strategies to reflective questions that provoke thought and discussion, this is your comprehensive guide for navigating the complexities of rough and tumble play.
Our resource addresses everything required to nurture a supportive environment that embraces physical exploration and facilitates understanding of boundaries, consent, and conflict resolution. It encourages you to view the exuberance of rough and tumble play through a lens of opportunity, turning each energetic interaction into a valuable lesson in social dynamics and self-awareness. By employing this guide, you move beyond merely managing playtime; you actively contribute to a journey of holistic development.
Use this resource to:
- Prepare the environment with intention to support rough and tumble play
- Facilitate engagements with children in a safe and constructive way
- Reflect with children on experiences that foster social and emotional development
