Playwork

Playwork is a term used for the field of non-formal education where play is the main focus of activity. Playwork encompasses a broad range of professional roles which includes working directly with children in non-formal settings indoors and outdoors to university-based coursework.

Settings include parks and playgrounds, afterschool children's centers, children's museums, children's hospitals, toy libraries, family entertainment centers, play gardens, zoos, centers for children with special needs, and many others.

The primary goal of the IPA/USA Playwork Institute initiative is to train people to work at the community level to provide children and youth of all income levels safe play opportunities in non-formal education centers, especially neighborhood-based settings close to home.

Playworkers serve as the front-line in the community to meet the enormous demand for the neighborhood-based play provision. The aim is to train parents and other community members to work part-time in neighborhood after-school programs.

For information regarding future institute and certificate programs contact:

Robin Moore
(919) 821-4913
robin_moore@ncsu.edu

-or-

Dr. Rhonda Clements
(914) 323-5327
clementsr@mville.edu