01 / Understand
Reflect on digital play
Use the five principles to ask better questions about what children do, the choices they make, the people around them and the experience's wider value.
Applying PLAYS
One framework, many ways to improve digital play.
PLAYS can be used by families, educators, designers, researchers and organisations to examine digital experiences and make more informed decisions about their quality.
How PLAYS can be used
From a shared set of principles to practical action.
The framework can inform everyday choices as well as structured professional and organisational processes. The depth of application depends on the purpose, context and evidence available.
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02 / Assess
Review experiences
Use structured questions and evidence to identify strengths, gaps and opportunities in apps, games, content and learning experiences.
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03 / Build
Develop capability
Support parents, educators, designers and teams to understand meaningful digital play and apply the principles in their work.
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04 / Design
Improve products and programmes
Bring a child-centred perspective into concept development, content design, user journeys and programme implementation.
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05 / Learn
Generate evidence
Use research and evaluation to understand how children experience digital play and what design or facilitation choices make a difference.
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06 / Transform
Inform organisational strategy
Help organisations develop policies, standards and practices that put children's development, participation and well-being at the centre.
Choose your pathway
Start with the question you need to answer.
Parents may begin with a guided reflection. Educators may use PLAYS to review classroom resources. Product teams may seek a deeper assessment or design review. Organisations may commission training, research or strategic advisory.
Try the assessmentConnect
Partnership and collaboration enquiries
Get in touch about working with PLAYS.