Playing and being well – A review of recent research into children’s play, social policy and practice, with a focus on Wales

Authors: Wendy Russell, Mike Barclay and Ben Tawil
Date: October 2024

This literature review focuses on the importance of children’s play and wellbeing. Undertaken by Dr Wendy Russell, with Mike Barclay and Ben Tawil from Ludicology, it is a review of recent research into children’s play, social policy and practice, with a focus on Wales.

Commissioned by Play Wales, the literature review investigates the connections between play sufficiency and children’s wellbeing. It draws mainly on academic research, across a range of disciplines, but also draws on professional, advocacy and practitioner literature where appropriate. The review focuses on the role of play in children’s wellbeing, children’s play patterns, and adult support for children’s play.

Divided into five chapters, it includes information about:

• the background, scope and approach of the literature review
• contextualising and framing the review
• the role of play in children’s wellbeing
• children’s play today
• supporting children’s play.

This review has been carried out 10 years after the commencement of the Play Sufficiency Duty and while the Welsh Government was undertaking its Ministerial Review of Play. The evidence gathered in the literature review will inform this ongoing work. Most of the research for the literature review was carried out between April 2021 and January 2023 and reflects what was available at that time.