Cultural diversity and constructions of play: the case of refugees

Refugees and migrants arrive in Australia with their own culturally embedded ideas and practices related to childhood. In addition, many come from places and spaces that have been disrupted by war, famine, and oppression. Play, in particular risky play, is therefore part of the cosmos of family experiences where contexts may not have been conducive to play outdoors or not constructed in the same ways. This chapter seeks to discuss how differences in perceptions of play need to be taken into account when working with newly arrived refugee families. Drawing on interview data, the research aimed to empower those working in hubs and centres with resources and the knowledge needed to optimise refugee children’s early learning opportunities. The chapter first examines the literature in the area, followed by an analysis of qualitative data collected from community hubs and centres in three states in Australia.