Play is the basis for children's formation, and when play is combined with Hans Christian Andersen's universe, a poetic and magic dimension is added to the play.

Our manuscript entitled "Play with H. C. Andersen - inspiration to play communities in day care" is almost ready for publication. The book will first and foremost inspire more play and magic and magic in day care institutions. Further, we wish to strengthen pedagogues' playfulness in play communities with the children, with respect for the essence of play and the child’s perspective.

Three play workshops

The book is based on three play workshops with 15 pedagogues from daycare institutions throughout the Denmark) held during the period October 2020 - April 2021. Between workshops, the pedagogues held test actions in their own nursery / kindergarten / day care.

Inspiration in text, photos and music

The book is divided into three main sections and includes eight HCA songs, folding books and narrative pictures. The first part describes the pedagogical basis with inspiration from H. C. Andersen's life and fairy tale world and a play-based, co-creative educational practice. Here, theoretical and research-based knowledge is combined in relation to Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale world, play, the concept of formation, and the pedagogical quality in day care institutions.

The second part provides overall inspiration for pedagogical designs and methods for how day care can explore, experiment, and co-create with the children and strengthen a magic and joyful formative play practice based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales. The third part suggests concrete ideas to play with, and step into, eight selected fairy tales: Thumbelina, Clumsy Hans, The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, The Princess on the Pea, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Snowman, and the Spruce Tree.

Finally, there is an overview of life themes and the fairy tales in which themes and dilemmas are included.

Primarily for educational staff

The book is primarily aimed at pedagogues and educational staff in nurseries, day cares, kindergartens, as well as teachers at pedagogic studies, pedagogic students and daycare institution managers. The book is part of the co-creation project "Playful communities with inspiration from H.C. Andersen”. The book's author is Gitte B Bork, MA in Pedagogy.