PARS CPD

Play Cycle Observation Method (PCOM)

The Play Cycle theory was first introduced in 1998 by Gordon Sturrock and Perry Else at the International Play Association (IPA) Conference, Colorado, USA. The Play Cycle describes the process of play as it happens, rather than the outcome of the play. In 2018, the Play Cycle was updated as a result of research carried out by Dr Pete King and Dr Shelly Newstead and Dr King developed a new method to observe and record the process of play, called the Play Cycle Observation Method (PCOM). 

The next PCOM course takes place on 31st October and 14th November (two sessions), 19.00-20.30 UK.
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Why take this course?

  • 2 interactive workshops
  • Led by Dr Pete King, creator of the Play Cycle Observation Method
  • Try out the PCOM in your setting and get feedback 

For practitioners and teachers

This two-part PCOM workshop is ideal for anybody who wants to be able to describe the process of play to themselves and others or to teach the PCOM to students and practitioners.

Valid and reliable


The PCOM has been piloted and published and offers a valid and reliable method to observe and record elements of the Play Cycle such as play cues. play returns, play frame and annihilation.

Session 1
October
31st
19.00-20.30 UK
Session 2
November
14th
19.00-20.30 UK
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Session 1

  • Explanation of the Play Cycle theory
  • Overview of the Play Cycle Observation Method (PCOM)
  • How to use the PCOM to record elements of the Play Cycle

Session 2

This second session enables you to discuss with other participants how you have implemented the PCOM and to receive feedback from Dr Pete King.
It is always brilliant to have someone identify how knowledge can be useful in practice and as the Play Cycle is quite a complicated skill to use in observations this was the ideal start point for someone to start to use a PARS theory instead of Early years observation techniques.
PCOM Participant, October 2022
Great informative course!
PCOM Participant, February 2022

Recommended reading for this course

Meet YOUR TRAINER

Dr Pete King
Swansea University

Dr Pete King is a Senior Lecture at Swansea University and is the Programme Director for the MA Developmental and Therapeutic Play course.  Pete’s professional practice is in playwork and has worked in both the statutory and third (voluntary) sector in both England and Wales before working in Higher Education.  Pete has published four books (three co-authored with Dr Shelly Newstead and one co-written with the late Gordon Sturrock) and contributed to play and playwork journals both nationally and internationally.  Pete’s recent research has been in two areas:  how Covid-19 impacted playwork and the developing the theory and practice of the Play Cycle.
Patrick Jones - Course author

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Further resources 

Click on the image to find more resources about the Play Cycle theory and the PCOM.