ABSTRACT
The elemental play model very much reflects the ecological systems model of Bronfenbrenner; each system or layer responds dynamically with each other, and when in harmony, the family, environment and service arrangements surrounding the child work in a reciprocal partnership, with any change at any time influencing the child’s overall development. We recognise the terms ‘micro’, ‘meso’, ‘macro’ and ‘exo systems’ to, putting it simply, represent the child within the family, local community settings and cultures, and the values expressed through legislation and governance. The chrono system places the child within a socio-cultural and environmental time frame of more global concerns. Roszak (1998) confirms this idea: ‘Every person’s lifetime is anchored within a greater, universal lifetime. Each of us shares the whole of life’s time on earth. Salt remnants of ancient oceans flow through our veins, ashes of expired stars rekindle in our genetic chemistry.’
