The Psychology of Play
The early years matter!
Everyone knows play when they see it, but can you define it? Join Kings Park Education to observe children in their natural habitat. Visit two of Kings Park’s play spaces; Ivey Watson Playground, specifically designed for children under six years, and Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park, one of the world’s first nature-based discovery and learning spaces.
Piaget said, ‘Play is the work of childhood’. Children play to help understand their world and it is essential to their development. Students discuss how these early experiences are associated with important outcomes; educational attainment, physical well-being, building a strong foundation for a happy, healthy child. During their visit, students will observe different types of play; functional, constructive, fantasy and games with rules.
Students finish the session with a first-hand experience of outdoor play in Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park.
Students will:
- Observe and collect data on stages and developmental changes of children playing
- Draw conclusions using psychological evidence on importance of play
- Discuss developmental stages across infancy, childhood and adolescence
- Discuss Piaget’s theory of cognitive development and play
Experience first-hand the importance of nature play for wellbeing and development
Fee Structure
Secondary School Programs (Years 7 to 12)
$12.50 per student
$187.50 minimum booking fee
- All prices include GST
- Minimum booking fees apply
- Teachers and supervising adults are free of charge
- Payment can be made via electronic funds transfer (EFT) or credit card
- You will receive an email confirming your booking once we have received and processed your completed application form. 
-  You will receive a tax invoice within one week of your excursion.  Please confirm any changes to student numbers before the day of your excursion.
- Kings Park Education reserves the right to cancel a booking at any time. 
How to book
- Select your program and preferred date
- Email your enquiry to theKings Park Education Booking Officer
Please include the year group and number of students - Check your confirmation email to ensure your booking details are correct. All changes must be requested in writing.
- Please see Excursion Information tab to plan your visit.
Bookings are essential for all excursions to Kings Park and Bold Park. Bookings are also required for all informal visits by school groups (including picnics and playtime) to ensure your safety in an emergency.
We recommend making your booking at least one term in advance, due to the popularity of our programs.
Resources
Excursion Information
Please bring enough adults to ensure student safety. The recommended adult to student ratio for Kings Park Education excursions are:  
- Kindergarten 1:4
- PP - Year 2 1:5
- Year 3-6 1:6
- Year 7-8 1:10
- Year 9-10 1:15
- Year 11-12 1:30
Arrive at least 20 minutes before your program is due to start. Please note, your program will be cut short if you are late.
Provide students and adult helpers with advice on suitable outdoor clothing and items to bring. We recommend students wear their sports uniforms, closed-in shoes, a hat, and bring a raincoat in case of wet weather. Please bring water bottles, lunch/recess, insect repellent, sunscreen and a first aid kit. To prevent foraging by hungry birds we recommend students use individual backpacks.
Cancellation Policy
Kings Park and Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is a popular choice for school excursions.
Please take care when selecting your program and booking date as some, or all, of the fees may still apply if you chose to cancel the booking.
If you do decide to cancel the booking, please provide at least 30 days’ notice so that we can offer another group the opportunity to visit.
Unless there are exceptional circumstances, failure to provide the required notice will incur the minimum booking fee per class. Schools that do not provide any notice of cancellation and fail to attend on the day will be charged the full booking fee.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden and Bold Park are outdoor venues. Programs will go ahead in most weather conditions. In cases of Severe Weather Warnings, Total Fire Bans or Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger Ratings, Kings Park Education programs and events may be cancelled prior to or on the day of the excursion by the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA). In this instance the BGPA will contact all booked groups. If the program cannot be rescheduled to another date, a full refund will be provided where payment has been made in advance.
In cases of a Severe Weather Warning, Total Fire Ban, Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating, Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park and Bold Park will be closed to all visitors. 
Program information
Session duration
1.5 hours
Age group
Curriculum links
Enquire now
education@bgpa.wa.gov.au
9480 3638