Re-imagining Playwork through a Poststructural Lens: Stories from the Climbing Frame

This book explores how poststructural theory can contribute to the study of playwork as an academic field. It utilizes concepts from sociology, philosophy, and technology to examine power dynamics and voice in research with human participants. Chapters present vignettes based on stories from playwork practitioners and children, highlighting the complexity of research involving human participants and their roles as researchers and/or researched.

Format: Hardback
Length: 138 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the profound implications of poststructural theory for the emerging field of playwork as an academic discipline. By drawing upon theoretical frameworks employed by sociologists and philosophers, such as the sociological imagination (Mills), hauntings and the fictive (Derrida), and technologies of power and the self (Foucault), the text explores how these tools can be effectively utilized in playwork research. It reimagines the study of children and childhood as a holistic process where research and practice intertwine, yet possess distinct skills. The book raises thought-provoking questions about power dynamics and voice, while also emphasizing the intricacies involved in research that involves human participants and their roles as both researchers and subjects.

Chapters in the book present concepts from post-structural, feminist research and contextualize them within the realm of playwork practice through the use of vignettes constructed from stories shared by playwork practitioners and the children they work with. This approach offers a rich and immersive perspective, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of playwork.

As a valuable addition to the emerging academic field of playwork, this book appeals to researchers and students in the fields of playwork research, education, youth studies, early childhood education, and the sociology of education. Its comprehensive nature and insightful analysis make it a must-read for anyone seeking to advance their knowledge and understanding of this dynamic field.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032028415