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 in this field.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 138 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the profound implications of poststructural theory in the realm of playwork, a rapidly evolving academic field that combines theory and practice. 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 research on children and childhood as a holistic process where inquiry and practice intertwine, yet possess distinct skills. The book raises thought-provoking questions about power dynamics and voice, emphasizing the intricacies involved in research that involves human participants and their roles as both researchers and subjects.

Chapters in the book seamlessly integrate concepts from post-structural, feminist research with the context of playwork practice, utilizing vignettes constructed from stories shared by playwork practitioners and the children they work with. This approach provides a rich and immersive understanding of the complexities and nuances of playwork, making it an invaluable resource for researchers, students, educators, and professionals in the fields of playwork research, education, youth studies, early childhood education, and the sociology of education.

By expanding our understanding of poststructural theory and its application in playwork, this book contributes to the growth and development of this field, offering valuable insights and perspectives that will shape the future of research and practice in this important area.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032028422