Summary – 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: January 2024

This is a summary of the forthcoming publication, Playing and being well. Undertaken by Dr Wendy Russell, with Mike Barclay and Ben Tawil from Ludicology, it’s a review of recent research into children’s play, social policy and practice, with a focus on 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.

The summary includes information about:

• the scope and approach of the literature review
• an overview and findings from each of the chapters in the review
• the authors’ proposal of a relational capability approach to children’s wellbeing through actions to create conditions that support playing
• closing thoughts on adults’ responsibility for 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.