2024/08/25 by King, Peter, Newstead, Shelly
paper · doi:10.22024/unikent/03/ajpp.1245
Background: This study formed part of the International Playwork Census. It provides important data about how playworkers and non-playworkers who use a playwork approach in their work with children were first introduced to playwork and the playwork literature they had read. Method: The data was collected through an online survey the International Playwork Census (IPC) and focuses on two qualitative open-ended questions on how people first heard of playwork and what playwork literature they accessed. Results: How people first heard of playwork was analysed using thematic analysis and three themes were constructed from three sources: provision (being employed); education (studying a playwork course) or promotion (attending a conference). When asked what playwork-related literature participants had accessed, non-playworkers were more likely to access and read published playwork books than playworkers. Conclusions: This difference raises several important questions about the future development of the playwork profession, particularly in the area of sector-specific knowledge development.