The Play Research Centre

We investigate the power of connection through play, and how play helps children and families thrive.

About us

Discover what we do at The Play Research Centre and the aims of our work.

PhD student Catherine Sheehan is researching the role of pretend play in children’s emotional development.

Connection through play is at the heart of our research.

CUCHDS provides opportunities for research and training in the study of human development.

Find out more about children’s play with peers and the role of humour in their development and wellbeing.

Find out more about the importance of sibling play and how it can be nurtured to support child development.

Find out more about identifying pathways for improving children’s experiences when in hospital.

Find out more about developing new resources for teachers to use in the classroom that promote humour and play.

Find out more about our work in the Neurodevelopment Assessment Unit, investigating play in children who are experiencing challenges at school.

Find out more about our research into better ways of understanding how to support care-experienced children and their families.