From Sandboxes to Sustainability: Children's Play-Based Wisdom

Dr Kate Renshaw 'aka' Dr Play in conversation with guest, Rachel Parker on the topic of the relationship between global citizenship and play.

Rachel Parker is the Founder of Global Play Lab and Voice of the Child Foundation Lead at Murdoch Children's Research Institute. Her experience includes:

• 20+ years in educational programming and research
• International work with Lego Foundation, UNICEF, and the Australian Government

Episode Highlights

The Natural Global Citizen

• Children naturally value animal life equally to human life
• Possess inherent ethical qualities and global citizenship perspectives
• Their perspectives elevate adult understanding of interconnectedness

Small World Play

• Miniaturized environments create safe containers for exploration
• Appeals to both children and adults
• Connection to language development and complex learning

Co-Creation vs. Consultation

• Moving beyond adult-designed programs to genuine partnership
• Gallery Victoria's approach: children as event designers
• Sustainability discussions in play-based learning
• Trust in children's capabilities creates empowerment cycles

From Loose Parts to Global Connections

• Abstract play challenges adults but energizes children
• Object substitution play unlocks creativity and innovation
• Different play types serve different developmental functions
• Connecting everyday play to broader global citizenship concepts

Cultural Humility and Playful Acknowledgment

• Play-based approaches for meaningful acknowledgment of country
• Children's wisdom informing authentic adult practices
• Balancing respect and engagement in cultural work

The Voice of the Child Toolkit

• Free resource from Murdoch Children's Research Institute
• Practical guidance for including children's voices
• Age-appropriate methods for consultation, collaboration, co-creation
• Focus groups to assessment approaches honoring children's strengths

Key Takeaways

1. Children are natural global citizens - they inherently understand interconnectedness and value all life forms
2. Play is communication - children's first language provides rich insights for adults willing to listen
3. Small spaces, big learning - contained environments enable complex exploration and development
4. Trust creates capacity - when adults trust children's wisdom, children rise to meet higher expectations
5. Authentic engagement matters - playful approaches can enhance rather than diminish serious cultural and educational work

Upcoming Events

• FREE Webinar: July 22nd - Murdoch Children's Research Institute presenting the Voice of the Child Toolkit. Register online https://mcri.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ykebDxyXSCGdv5f3CyukrA#/registration

Resources Mentioned

• Indigenous X - cultural humility training https://training.indigenousx.com.au/ 

Connect with Rachel Parker

• Website: Global Play Lab https://www.globalplaylab.com/ 
• LinkedIn: Professional conversations welcome
• Email: Available through website contact

About Dr Play Podcast

Hosted by Dr Kate Renshaw, play therapist and child rights advocate, exploring play as a fundamental investment in humankind.

"Play is children's first language - and when we learn to speak it, we unlock profound insights into global citizenship, interconnectedness, and our shared humanity."