Everyday Play

Everyday Play

Based on a lifetime spent working with small children in Australian playgroups, Everyday Play is filled with play ideas to build the crucial parent-child relationship and to assist in a child's early foundational years of social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional development.

With an emphasis on practical, open-ended and easily replicated ideas, this fresh, contemporary book is perfect for parents, grandparents, group-learning situations and home learning.

'The early childhood years pass so quickly and a parent will never regret the time they spend weaving playtimes into everyday routines and putting aside time for special family playtimes,' says author of Everyday Play and ex-CEO of Playgroup Victoria. 'Life takes on a new meaning as you partner with a young child and find even the most mundane moments turn into amazing times of wonder, sharing and learning.'

Everyday Play covers the following subjects:
Why play is important
Play with the everyday
Communication
Discovering my world
I did it all by myself
Friends together
Out and about
Recycling
Play recipes

Kaye Plowmanis the ex-CEO of Playgroup Victoria and had been with the association for 23 years. During this time she wrote the Playgroup Manual, Playgroups Let Children Play and a comprehensive series of play booklets. Kaye produced the DVDs: Play at Playgroup, Starting a Playgroup and Learning through Play. She is also a regular speaker at state, national and international early childhood conferences. Prior to working at Playgroup Victoria, Kaye was a school teacher and day-care worker. Kaye is the mother of three and the grandmother of six. She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne with her husband.

Everyday Play
The Five Mile Press
Author: Kaye Plowman
ISBN: 9781742480435
Price: $34.95

Interview with Kaye Plowman

Question: What inspired you to write Everyday Play?

Kaye Plowman: My inspiration was my passion for the value of play and how children learn through play. As I faced retirement I wanted to give back to the early childhood sector some of what I had learnt about over my 45 year career.

I am also concerned about parents who are time poor and play seems trivial compared with the other demands on their valuable time. I wanted to share how play can be woven into their busy lives; to pass on to parents some of the practice knowledge acquired from my experiences in teaching, day care, playgroups, parenting and grand parenting.


Question: Why is it so important to have special family playtimes?

Kaye Plowman: There are many and varied ways to develop family traditions, pass on family values and build treasured memories. One of the most successful and relaxed way to do this is to play together.

Through play family members learn to share, contribute, take turns and respect each other. Family members feel valued and included. The bonding of relationships builds trust and resilience.


Question: What does the Everyday Play book include?

Kaye Plowman: Everyday Play is jam-packed with best practice ideas for play experiences for babies, toddlers and preschool children. It includes ways to develop a child's social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills. It has ways to encourage a love of nature and a strong emphasis on being environmentally responsible.

Real photographs capture children being themselves: exploring, experimenting and being curious as they learn through free unstructured play.


Question: Who would you suggest reads Everyday Play?

Kaye Plowman: Everyday Play is primarily targeted to parents, grandparents and other informal caregivers that regularly mind children. It makes an ideal gift for parents of a new baby.

Everyday Play is already proving popular for playgroup coordinators, day care workers, kindergarten teachers, nannies and early childhood students.

It makes a novel picture book for a birthday gift for a child. Small children love the photographs which stir their imagination and make great conversation starters.

Interview by Brooke Hunter