Play and playfulness for public health and wellbeing

The role of play in human and animal development is well established, and its educational and therapeutic value is widely supported in the literature. This innovative book extends the play debate by assembling and examining the many pieces of the play puzzle from the perspective of public health. It tackles the dual aspects of art and science which inform both play theory and public health policy, and advocates for a 'playful' pursuit of public health, through the integration of evidence from parallel scientific and creative endeavors. Drawing on international research evidence, the book addresses some of the major public health concerns of the 21st century - obesity, inactivity, loneliness and mental health - advocating for creative solutions to social disparities in health and wellbeing. From attachment at the start of life to detachment at life's ending, in the home and in the workplace, and across virtual and physical environments, play is presented as vital to the creation of a new 'culture of health'. This book represents a valuable resource for students, academics, practitioners and policy-makers across a range of fields of interest including play, health, the creative arts and digital and environmental design.

Alison Tonkin is Head of Higher Education at Stanmore College, United Kingdom. Alison has a research background in health promotion for pre-school children and has worked as both a diagnostic and therapeutic radiographer. Julia Whitaker has worked therapeutically with children and families in both public and private sectors for the past 30 years. Originally trained as a social worker and family therapist, Julia is also a registered Health Play Specialist with wide-ranging clinical and teaching experience in the field.

1. Improving the public's health through playful endeavours 2. The science of public health 3. Playing for a healthy brain 4. Playful connections: attachment at the start of life and beyond 5. Playful endings: making meaning at the end of life 6. Playing together: the art and science of relationships 7. Playful families 8. A playful childhood for all 9. The playful workplace 10. Playing in a digital world: the good, the bad and the possibilities 11. The playful environment 12. The art of public health 13. Playful policy 14. Inclusive play as means of accessing public health 15 Playful participation, engagement and empowerment

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