This book provides designers, planners, educators, and therapists with the practical information required to remove inequity in outdoor spaces, by creating inviting and inclusive solutions so that all children and their families, regardless of situation or circumstance, can experience the joys and benefits of outdoor play without stigma. It is the first of its kind, co-written by an occupational therapist and landscape architect both with proven expertise in inclusive play space design. The Nature of Inclusive Play fills an untapped niche in promoting the value of outdoor play. It focuses on what embodies play and shows how, through inclusive outdoor play design, developmental skills can be enriched. The topics covered in the book include: • a discussion of the health benefits associated with being outdoors • the history of and value of play • an overview of typical child development • the importance of sensory regulation • an inclusive design review process • design guidelines. All topics are supplemented with nine applicable case studies of inclusive outdoor play spaces with features that reflect inclusive+ principles, including examples from North America and Africa. It is a much-needed guide for landscape architects, urban planners, allied health care professionals, early childhood educators, academics, and students.

This extremely practical and child-focused book gives you the tools you need to make sure all the children in your care are included and involved in the play opportunities of your setting. Inside the second edition, new content includes: - consideration of the early years curricula across the whole of the UK - a new chapter on risk and challenge in play - new case studies - international perspectives - full coverage of the Birth to Eight age range - consideration of inclusive play from a children′s rights perspective A key book for those in practice, and underpinned by sound theory, this book will help you encourage and support inclusive play throughout your setting; it is packed with activities for you to try, ideas for small changes to make that can have a big impact and clear guidance on writing a play policy. With a focus on appreciating children as individuals, this book is essential for all early years practitioners and those studying early years at any level. Theresa Casey is a freelance consultant based in Scotland, and President of the International Play Association. Specialising in play and children′s rights, inclusion and children′s environments, Theresa Casey Consultancy provides tailor-made services for organisations working for and with children.

This book will be of interest to undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers in disability studies, childhood studies, medicine and health sciences, and sociology. It also provides insights that will be of use and value to professionals working with disabled children and adolescents in education, health and in disability-specific services. Opening with four narratives that offer the reader a window into the lived experience of disabled children, adolescents and their families, subsequent chapters explore a range of issues facing disabled children from early childhood through to late adolescence. Topics include family life, early intervention, inclusive and post-secondary education, the right to play, digital participation, the effects of labelling and matters relating to agency and sexuality. With chapters discussing research from Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden and the UK amongst others, this book: • contributes to the existing body of knowledge about the lives of disabled children and adolescents, with a focus on socially created disabling factors; • provides the reader with analysis of issues affecting disabled children and adolescents according to different conceptual frameworks, national contexts and with regard to different types of impairments/disabilities; • highlights the main issues that confront disabled children and adolescents, their families and their allies in the early twenty-first century; • highlights the importance of actively listening to the perspectives of disabled children and adolescents. It provides a rich source of knowledge and information about the lives of disabled children and adolescents, and a variety of perspectives on how their lives are affected by material and non-material factors, social structures and cultural constructions.

How children experience, negotiate and connect with or resist their surroundings impacts on their health and wellbeing. In cities, various aspects of the physical and social environment can affect children’s wellbeing. This edited collection brings together different accounts and experiences of children’s health and wellbeing in urban environments from majority and minority world perspectives. Privileging children’s expertise, this timely volume explicitly explores the relationships between health, wellbeing and place. To demonstrate the importance of a place-based understanding of urban children’s health and wellbeing, the authors unpack the meanings of the physical, social and symbolic environments that constrain or enable children’s flourishing in urban environments. Drawing on the expertise of geographers, educationists, anthropologists, psychologists, planners and public health researchers, as well as nurses and social workers, this book, above all, sees children as the experts on their experiences of the issues that affect their wellbeing. Children’s Health and Wellbeing in Urban Environments will be fascinating reading for anyone with an interest in cultural geography, urban geography, environmental geography, children’s health, youth studies or urban planning.

"Inclusive education has emerged internationally over the past thirty years as a way of developing democratic citizenship. Core to inclusive principles are that improved equity in education can only be achieved by eliminating the economic, cultural and physical barriers that currently impede learning for particular students.To strengthen inclusive practice to this end inexorably requires that we attempt to make sense of it in its current form: to examine how it is enacted in educational settings from early childhood, schools, and communities and further and higher education; to contemplate the restrictions that it might inadvertently create; and to consider its effects on members of educational communities.Contributions to this edited collection represent diverse perspectives, yet share a commitment to challenging existing forms of educational marginalisation through policy, practice, theory and pedagogy. The chapters emerged from discussions at the inaugural Inclusive Education Summit that was held at Victoria University, Australia in 2015. They present research that was conducted in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Spain and the UK—illustrating transnational interests and diverse approaches to practice.Presented in four sections—provocations, pushing boundaries, diverse voices, and reflections, the chapters explore everyday practice across a range of contexts: from educating culturally and linguistically diverse, refugee, and/or socially and economically disadvantaged students, to issues of diversity brought about by and through gender, giftedness and disability. The book will appeal to academics, students and practitioners in disciplines including: education, sociology, social work, social policy, early childhood, disability studies, and youth studies."

Memorable children's narratives immerse readers in imaginary worlds that bring them into the story. Some of these places have been constructed in the real world--like Pinocchio's Tuscany or Anne of Green Gables' Prince Edward Island--where visitors relive their favorite childhood tales. Theme parks like Walt Disney World and Harry Potter World use technology to engineer enchanting environments that reconnect visitors with beloved fictional settings and characters in new ways. This collection of new essays explores the imagined places we loved as kids, with a focus on the meaning of setting and its power to shape the way we view the world.

Taking an innovative approach to autism and play, this practical text focuses on the particular form play and friendship takes for children with autism and their peers. Autistic children have clear preferences for play, with sensory-perceptual experience remaining a strong feature as they develop. Play and Friendship in Inclusive Autism Education offers a framework for supporting children’s development through play, with step-by-step guidance on how to facilitate the playful engagement of children with autism. Up to date research findings and relevant theoretical ideas are presented in an accessible and practical way, highlighting what theory means to ordinary practice in schools, whilst focusing on practical knowledge in autism education. Split into five chapters, this book covers some of the main issues surrounding inclusive education and play: discourses and definitions of play the difference between play and playfulness autism, play and the inclusion agenda in education the nature of sensory-perceptual experience in children’s play cultures effective ways of supporting children’s friendships. With practical guidance on how to support children with autism through play, this book will be essential reading for teachers, learning support assistants, SENCos and play workers, as well as professionals working in an advisory capacity. Students studying courses that cover autism will also find Play and Friendship in Inclusive Autism Education a valuable resource.

The Power of Play: Why It's Essential for Child Development is a short read book that delves into the importance of play in a child's life. This book explores various aspects of child development and how play contributes to cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and sensory development. The table of contents is organized in a comprehensive manner, covering a wide range of topics related to play and child development. It starts with an introduction to the power of play and its significance in child development. The subsequent chapters delve into specific areas of development, such as cognitive development, physical development, social development, emotional development, and imagination and creativity. Language development and sensory development are also explored, highlighting how play can enhance these skills in children. The book further delves into the importance of play in developing problem-solving skills, executive function, risk-taking, and resilience. Play-based learning is discussed in detail, emphasizing how play can be an effective tool for educational purposes. The book also explores different types of play, including outdoor play, play and technology, and play therapy. The impact of play on gender, cultural differences, parent-child bonding, school readiness, emotional regulation, and imagination is thoroughly examined. The book also highlights the role of play in promoting physical health, problem-solving abilities, peer relationships, parental involvement, creativity, self-expression, brain development, and learning through play. To address any queries or concerns, the book includes a section of frequently asked questions. Additionally, readers are encouraged to reach out with their questions or comments. In addition to the valuable insights provided in this book, readers will also receive a bonus. By purchasing The Power of Play: Why It's Essential for Child Development, readers will receive a complimentary copy of How To Be A Super Mom, a guide that offers tips and advice on being an exceptional mother. Overall, The Power of Play: Why It's Essential for Child Development is a must-read for parents, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the crucial role of play in a child's development. This title is a short read. A Short Read is a type of book that is designed to be read in one quick sitting. These no fluff books are perfect for people who want an overview about a subject in a short period of time. Table of Contents The Power of Play: Why It's Essential for Child Development Cognitive Development Physical Development Social Development Emotional Development Imagination and Creativity Language Development Sensory Development Problem-Solving Skills Executive Function Risk-Taking and Resilience Play-Based Learning Types of Play Play and Technology Play Therapy Outdoor Play Play and Gender Play and Cultural Differences Play and Parent-Child Bonding Play and School Readiness Play and Emotional Regulation Play and Imagination Play and Physical Health Play and Problem-Solving Play and Peer Relationships Play and Parental Involvement Play and Creativity Play and Self-Expression Play and Brain Development Play and Learning Through Play Frequently Asked Questions Have Questions / Comments?

This book reflects on more than two decades of adoption practices of inclusive education policy in Southern Africa. It is aimed at taking stock of the successes, challenges and achievements during this journey of making education inclusive and equitable. It responds to the educational needs of learners at all levels, regardless of their diverse needs, such as disability, gender, socio-economic status, race, ethnicity and language background. This book furthers the understanding and conceptualization of the notion of inclusion in education, and explores the challenges experienced during the operationalization and implementation of the process. It extends debates spawned by international and national policy mandates that sought to transcend exclusionary educational practices in order to realize inclusive societies and, by implication, inclusive classrooms. It offers a comprehensive conceptual framework for inclusive education in the Southern African context while drawing parallels from the regional and international experience. This book can be used as a reference or critical reading for scholars and researchers in the field of inclusive education. It will empower practitioners, administrators, teachers and school leaders, curriculum developers and planners, as well as policy makers with knowledge about theory and practice regarding inclusive education in the Southern African schooling system.