Learning through Playing in Higher Education: Promoting Play as a Skill for Social Work Students

Abstract

This article discusses the potential benefits of using play-based methods of teaching and learning to support social work students in their communication skills with children and young people. The existing literature on teaching communication skills with children to social work students will be briefly reviewed and arguments presented for the inclusion of play-based methods as a legitimate area of practice. The article will identify several techniques for use with students to promote play-based skills development in communicating with children. It will argue for the specific character of play, both in enhancing students’ learning but also in helping to shape the quality of their future interactions with children, young people and adult service users. Some advantages and limitations of these methods will be reviewed. Finally, implications for possible future research in this area will be identified.

Keywords:

• Play
• Direct Work
• Communication Skills with Children
• Social Work Education
• Learning Styles
• Reflective Practice

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank the students who gave their kind permission to reprint their drawings in this paper.