It will consider both the dimensions of play and playfulness (Dewey) in the context of the primary school. Thus, the school is understood as a context of life, relationships and shared learning, in which children are pupils and peers at the same time. Our first consideration is that children attending school are entitled not only to education, but also to play. 

The school environment is increasingly geared towards results and the acquisition of competences. At the same time, however, it is called upon to take up the challenge of education for sustainable development and participative democracy. What space can play-based learning occupy within such a framework? 

During the conference, the various forms of play-based learning will be explored: from free play to playful learning and game-based learning. Our goal then is to investigate the manifold dimensions of play (sociability, creativity, flow...) and their contribution to the implementation of a sustainable and child-oriented education. 

More specifically, we will focus on the following aspects:

a. the organisation of time and school environments oriented towards free activities, in order to stimulate discovery, experience and socialization among children;

b. the pedagogical-didactical conception of full-time school as a potential mixture of formal, non-formal and informal education through play and play-based learning, fostering outdoor activities, risk play, cooperative play etc.;

c. pedagogic-didactic theories oriented towards flow, imagination and the discovery of playful learning, such as dramatic play, storytelling, tinkering, etc.

Scientific contributions may be proposed in Italian, German and/or English, in the following forms:

1. presentation (30 min.), or

2. workshop (60 min.) 

Keynotes will be simultaneously translated into Italian and German. Parallel sessions will be held in one of the three conference languages, with the assistance of the moderators for translation.

Abstracts, of approximately 500 words + bibliography must be sent by 30 July 2023 to: spielraum@unibz.it. Selected contributions will be announced by 15 August 2023. 

Presenters are invited to submit scientific contributions on the following topics

- play-oriented teaching and discovery learning in primary school; and

- play in the context of the all-day school;

- play and physical education;

- the potential of play for participation and inclusion;

- play and multilingualism;

- storytelling and forms of dramatic play in primary school;

- play spaces and wellbeing at school;

- project-based learning and tinkering;

- technologies as opportunities for play.

The conference volume will be published in open access by BuPress. The conference fee is EUR 70 and the link for registration will be published soon on this website.

Keynotes:

Prof. Roberto Farnè, Università di Bologna

Kristina Calvert, Verein „Philosophieren mit Kindern“ Hamburg

Dr. Sara Ricciardi, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Game Science Research Center

Scientific Committee: Prof. Dr. Simone Seitz, Dr. Francesca Berti

Contact: spielraum@unibz.it