Reclaiming Play & Creativity to Enhance Resilience: Perspectives from Child Development, Trauma Theory, Psychotherapy & Neurobiology

The Lost Art of Play: This talk will look at whether children's lives are increasingly over-filled and pressured. Adult expectations, fears and aspirations as well as the lure of technology such as gaming, has meant that old fashioned unstructured play opportunities are disappearing and with them the opportunity for children to develop a range of capacities, personal and interpersonal skills and creativity which would stand them in good stead for future life-challenges. 

The talk will take a playful approach, using video clips and developmental theory alongside an understanding of the therapeutic process to show how the capacity to play is the bedrock of so many important life-skills and in itself builds other capacities. Themes touched on will include the neurobiology of play, its link with empathy, what stress does to playfulness, what capacities are developed by play as well as what needs to be in place for a child or adult to make use of play opportunities, whether individually or inter-personally. 

We will think about how play and being playful and creative could be seen as being at the heart of being human, and that its potential demise is a threat to this.

This evening talk from acclaimed psychotherapist and speaker Graham Music is the first of our series of Sunflower Soirees. Join us for a glass of wine and nibbles from 6.30pm, followed by this two hour talk from Graham between 7pm - 9pm. 

The Omnibus Theatre is a fantastic arts venue based in Clapham Old Town, close to Clapham Common tube and has its own newly renovated bar & social space where you're welcome to stay on after the talk for drinks, socialising and networking. 

Terms & Conditions:  All bookings to be paid in full in advance. Early Bird & Standard tickets are fully refundable up to 4 weeks before the event, 50% refund up to 2 weeks before the event and non-refundable with less than fourteen days notice.

You can re-sell or transfer your ticket to another attendee up to 24 hours before the event opens - as long as we have notice in writing with their name. No transfer or refund will be considered for a 'no show' on the day of the event for whatever reason. On request The Sunflower Network may be able to help advertise and/or facilitate any re-sales but this will incur an admin fee of £15.00 to cover our costs including subsequent charges we receive from the ticket providers. Please note The Sunflower Network cannot ever guarantee a successful re-sale and responsibility for finding a new purchaser remains with the original ticket holder at all times.