welcome to pars!

PPP1 - introduction to PARS

PPP1 is a free session for anybody who wants to find out more about PARS practice. In this session you will find out;

  • How PARS practitioners think
  • What PARS practice looks like when working with children
  • How PARS practice can be used in a wide range of different job roles
  • How PARS is used all over the world
  • How you can get involved in the PARS international community

Join this free online session to learn more about how PARS practice works in theory and in practice, and how it could work for you!
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 March 18th
1.30pm UK or 7pm UK
Online

Let children be children!

Join our international community of PARS practitioners

PARS practitioners work with children in all sorts of projects, including zoos, adventure playgrounds, faith-based projects, schools, hospitals, daycare, prisons, environmental projects, playschemes, museums and many, many more.
Wherever we work and whatever our job titles, we all share a common vision of a world where all adults value childhood and empower children to be children. 

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Our staff now have a model of professional practice which enables them to leave children to their own devices and explain how and why they are doing this to sceptical adults! The kids have noticed a big difference and seem much happier as a result.

Dee Dogar, Child’s Play, Canada

I really enjoyed the PARS course. I am now able to stand back and watch the children interact with each other and just let them explore their surroundings

Kerry Zammit, UK

The PPP2 class has shown me that although I thought I was helping children's play, often I was interfering unnecessarily. I now have new ways of thinking about children's play that help me pause, watch, listen, and respond to what they want, rather than what I think will help them.

Dr Hannah Smith Brennan, USA

We now have a model which helps us to describe our practice in a professional way without having to resort to programming activities to demonstrate that we are professionals who know what we are doing.

Adam Smart, SmartKidz, UK

One immeasurable benefit of PARS is now having the language to engage with, both in self-reflection and in conversation with other practitioners and stakeholders. It means that we can now discuss what we think is happening for the children and what we think we can do to enhance (or meaningfully not ruin) what is happening, and to start to work on a collective understanding of our practice as a service.

Amy Blane, Australia

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PARS Trainers

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 languages 

PARS - evidence based practice 

PARS has been published in international academic and practitioner literature and policy guidance in several different languages. 

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Gain a PARS qualification

Online and in-person accredited programmes for adults who work with children, delivered by local PARS Licensed Trainers around the world.

Learn how to use the PARS model to free up time and space for children to be children in your setting and to explain the benefits of your PARS practice to other adults.

Common Threads is an NCFE International Award Centre and our PPP2, PPP3 and PPP4 programmes have been accredited by NCFE as Customised Qualifications.

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PPP1

Introducing
PARS

Find out what PARS practice is all about and how it's used around the world.
(not accredited)

PPP2

PARS Beginner

Begin to use parts of the PARS model to let children be children at home and at work. 

PPP3

PARS ADVANCED PRACTITIONER
Learn how to put the whole of the PARS model into practice and master a new technical language to explain your practice to others.

(required to become a PARS Assessor)

PPP4

PARS Expert

Develop an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of PARS. 
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(required to become a PARS Licensed Trainer or Internal Verifier)

Find the right PARS course for you!

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"Changed approach"

Why do adults around the world love PARS qualifications?

Data from evaluation forms from learners on 14 PARS qualification courses in 2025 in Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, UK,  Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China, Australia, Qatar, New Zealand & Indonesia.

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"Gained new skills and knowledge"

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"Trying to change approach"

free online session 
March 18th - either 13.30 or 19.00 start time

Meet your PPP1 Trainers

Craig Judson
PPP4 Qualified PARS Licensed Trainer,
MASKK, Sheffield, UK
Craig Judson started his playwork journey in 2006 and since then has enjoyed opportunities to learn more and develop his practice, including passing his PPP4 qualification. Craig currently manages a charity called MASKK in Sheffield, UK and also provides introductory training to settings through Sheffield Play Partnership
Dr Shelly Newstead
Creator of the PARS model of playwork practice, UK
Shelly has worked in playwork for over thirty years and created the PARS model of playwork practice as part of her doctoral research. Shelly is an international playwork presenter and is also an Adjunct Research Fellow at Griffith University, Australia.
@shelnews
@drparsplaywork

This free PPP1 is part of a programme funded by Sheffield City Council to provide free PARS playwork training for community and voluntary groups in Sheffield. Please contact us for more details.

Our international learning community

Explore our further learning opportunities and get involved - even if you are not a PARS practitioner!

We love to learn from each other and from practitioners and academics from other disciplines. 

PARS........ Book Club

Develop your knowledge of literature about children and childhood.

Practitioners and academics from any background are welcome!

Introduction to the Play Cycle

Join Dr Pete King for this 1-hour introduction to the  Play Cycle theory.

Learn about updates and applications of the Play Cycle in research and practice.

Reflexions

Free quarterly meetings just for PARS practitioners led by Dr Shelly Newstead.

International Journal of Playwork Practice

The official journal of PARS playwork practice. It includes peer-reviewed papers, practitioner articles and book reviews.

All free to access and download.