Children, Media and Playground Cultures ― Ethnographic Studies of School Playtimes

We often see children engaging with media - playing videogames, trading Pokemon cards, or acting out superhero fantasies. But what do we know about children's self-directed play in the context of their media cultures? This book provides in-depth analyses of children's media-referenced play on two primary school playgrounds in different cities in the UK. Drawing on ethnographic accounts of children's media-referenced play in UK playgrounds, as well as historical documents and contemporary media products, this book sets out an in-depth analysis of the current state of children's playground experiences. The aim of the book is to provide in-depth case studies of several genres of children's play as well as making connections to broader theories. The analyses consider a wide range of concepts including learning, fantasy, communication and issues relating to identities. As such the book appeals to a large audience covering a variety of disciplines including folklore, media and cultural studies, education, sociology, and childhood studies.

Rebekah Willett is an Assistant Professor of Library and Information Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. She has previously published Video Cultures: Media Technology and Everyday Creativity.

Chris Richards is a Senior Lecturer in Media Arts Education at the Institute of Education, London, UK. His most recent book is Young People, Popular Culture and Education.

Jackie Marsh is Professor of Education at the University of Sheffield, UK. She is co-editor of Play, Creativity and Digital Cultures.

Andrew Burn is Professor of Media Education at the Institute of Education, University of London, UK. He has previously published Making New Media: Creative Production and Digital Literacies.

Julia Bishop is a Researcher at the University of Sheffield and the University of Aberdeen, UK. Her most recent book is The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs.