Our Approach to Play
Our Approach to PlayAt Rocklands, we believe all play is valid and valued. Every child’s play is unique, meaningful, and an essential part of their development. There is no “right” way to play—what matters is that children feel free to explore, create, and express themselves in ways that make sense to them.
We champion child-initiated play, giving children the time and space for pure, unadulterated exploration. Our role is to provide irresistible invitations to play—highly motivating activities designed to spark curiosity and build focus and metacognitive thinking—while respecting each child’s individuality.
Through play, children develop communication, relationships, and a love for learning. We are working together to deepen our understanding of how we see play and why it matters. Every moment of play is observed, celebrated, and documented through photos, videos, and learning journeys on Tapestry, ensuring progress is tracked and shared.
Rocklands are working alongside Kerry Murphy to explore and implement research based on neurodivergent play. By valuing play as the foundation for growth, we create opportunities for confidence-building, creativity, and connection—helping every child thrive in their own way.
For further information on our practice, please contact:
Play Ambassadors:
EYFS Leader: Beth Styles (Beth.styles@rocklands.mhat.org.uk)
Eloise Cropp