Do you get enough play?

 

Play Factor = (N + O) x (R + F) + CE

 

 

The Play Factors Variables are

Being with nature (N):
Not simply being outdoors but time spent being in tune with or actually engaging with the rhythm of nature and embracing the organic whilst rejecting the artificial. Examples: surfboarding, sailing, forestry, horse riding, gardening, beachcombing, survival training.

How close to nature do you get	Score
Looking out of the window of the bar	1
Sunbathing by the pool	2
Walking on the beach	4
Camping with the family	6
Jungle survivalist weeks	8

 

 

Fresh air outdoor activity (O):
Activities sufficiently vigorous as to make you breath fresh air deeply and ones that introduce new skills to your body and mind. Examples: Horse riding, climbing, hill running.

What is your fresh air quota?	Score
Air-conditioning in the hotel	1
Opening a window in the bar	2
A walk in the garden	4
Fishing from the shore-line	6
Hill running	8

 

 

Relaxed unstructured fun (R):
This generally involves child like play or playing with the children but by their rules and without imposing the rigid sensibilities of adulthood. It could also involve rambling in a true sense i.e. without maps or any destination or goal apart from fun and enjoyment.

What amount of fun do you really have?	Score
We tell jokes at dinner	1
We play board games or cards together	2
We often play children’s games as a family	3
The children organise all the families to play games that the children choose	4

 

 

Family activity (F):
This will involve more than just being with your family, it means sharing experiences, engaging and building interdependence between children and adults.

What family activities do you engage in?	Score
Watching TV	1
Walking to the shops	2
Family camping outings	4
Family adventure weekends	6

 

 

Creative enterprise (CE):
This may be a newly developed skill such as painting or sketching, or even topiary!

In what types of activities are you freely creative	Score
Doodling on a beer-mat	1
Painting by numbers	2
Learning watercolour painting	3
Writing a novel on the beach	4
Organising the family to create a joint painting in oils on a hillside	5

 

 

What your Play Quality Score means

How good is the play are you getting?	Score
There is little to teach you – excellent!	Over 150
Very good you know how to play but can still learn	Over 120
You are average and would benefit from quality play skills	Over 80
You would see great benefit from of play upgrading	Over 50
You need to book a holiday – now!	Under 30

Score range 5-165