Talking Early Years with June O'Sullivan Talking Early Years: June O'Sullivan and Greg Bottrill
May 30, 2025
Greg Bottrill, a childhood advocate and author of 'Can I Go and Play Now?', champions play-centered education and the importance of reclaiming childhood. He discusses the critical role of play in learning, the decline of outdoor activity due to screens, and how adults can reconnect with their inner child. Greg critiques the focus on school readiness, citing economic pressures that rush children into formal education. He urges educators to recognize and celebrate children's identities through play, advocating for a more compassionate and playful approach in early years education.
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Play Is Who Children Are
- Play is in the DNA of children and is who they are, not just what they do.
- Play should be a driving force throughout education because it shapes identity and learning.
Adults Should Reclaim Their Inner Child
- Adults must play alongside children and reclaim their inner child to build strong bonds.
- Join children in mud kitchens, Play-Doh and stories to deepen connection and foster learning.
The School Wound Limits Play
- Many new educators carry a 'school wound' that values doing over being and stifles playfulness.
- Reclaiming the 'wonder child' inside staff helps them recognise and support children's play identities.
