The PLACES Project

PLACES
Good practice and Recommendations

A toolbox for playful learning and storytelling

Good practice stories​

When we are learning something new, working in a new way or just want to change old habits in our life or at work, it’s always inspiring to know how others have done it before us, and learn from their good but also from their less good experiences.
As part of the PLACES project, we worked closely with teachers from 4 different countries (Denmark, Belgium, Italy and Greece). The teachers were introduced to to the PLACES material, after which they tried to work with the material in their teaching. We followed the teachers’ work, interviewed them and compiled good practice stories based on their practical experiences.
There are good practice stories focusing on orality, linguistic skills, whole school approach, well-being, creativity, collaboration and participation, innovation, highlighting different settings, objectives and procedures that can take place and inspire others.
The good practice stories are structured under 3 headlines;
  1. Themes and Learning Objectives describing the general themes involved that set the context of the good practice, including the learning goals and aims of the activities that were implemented.
  2. Implementation procedures referring to the general procedure and steps that were followed by the teachers, as an example of implementation that may inspire and facilitate future implementation in other schools, by sharing ideas.
  3. Lessons learned: Sharing Outcomes and Experiences referring to the educational rational of the good practice and what was experienced and observed by teachers or students of the classroom during implementation.
You can use these good practice stories as a springboard for you to get started using storytelling and playful learning together with your pupils.

Recommendations

The PLACES Recommendations are designed to guide policy makers, educators, and stakeholders on how to scale up and integrate the innovative educational methods developed through the Erasmus+ PLACES project. Based on extensive research, pilot implementation, and good practice phases across four European countries, these recommendations aim to improve education quality, promote student well-being, and support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within schools.

The primary aim of the PLACES Recommendations is to encourage the broader adoption of the PLACES materials and methodologies—such as storytelling, playful learning, and health promotion—to enhance educational experiences across Europe. Key benefits anticipated from this implementation include:

  • Improved classroom social climate
  • Enhanced student engagement and motivation
  • Development of life skills and critical thinking
  • Better educational outcomes
  • Support for SDGs, particularly SDG 3, 4 & 10
We have compiled five key recommendations that are worth considering if we want to utilise PLACES material to its full potential.

  1. Integrate Innovative Methods into the Curriculum
    • Storytelling and playful learning should be used more extensively across all education levels, not just in early childhood. Secondary schools, in particular, could benefit significantly from these methods.
    • Curriculum planners are advised to incorporate PLACES materials into national education platforms and link them with existing life skills and health promotion curricula.
    • These resources help fill current gaps in SDG-related educational content, presenting the goals in student-friendly, engaging ways.

 

  1. Use International Days for Thematic Relevance

To overcome time constraints, educators can align PLACES stories with international observances. Examples include:

    • “Stunner” – For International Day against Violence and Bullying at School, tackling SDG 3 (Well-being)
    • “Without Filter” – For Safer Internet Day, exploring issues of self-image and digital responsibility
    • “Upstream” – For World Environment Day or World Health Day, raising awareness about health and environmental issues
    • International Day of Play – To implement PLACES playful learning activities

This targeted approach allows for meaningful integration of PLACES content without disrupting standard curricula.

 

  1. Address Structural and Resource Needs

To effectively adopt PLACES methods, schools require:

    • Physical resources: Projectors, books, sound systems, cloakroom infrastructure
    • Spaces: Rooms for theatre education or other experiential learning activities
    • Access: Easy availability of teaching materials via national platforms
    • Time: Less bureaucracy for teachers, more classroom time for deep discussions and reflection

 

  1. Empower and Train Teachers

Teachers are central to successful implementation. They need:

    • Experiential training in storytelling, health promotion, and other innovative methodologies
    • Support in delivering linguistic competences, including oral and written communication skills
    • Encouragement and backing from school leadership and project managers
    • Structures that foster collaboration among teachers to co-create and co-implement engaging activities

 

  1. Curriculum and Pedagogical Enhancements

a) Curriculum Adjustments

    • Incorporate storytelling to boost oral and linguistic skills
    • Allocate more flexible time for open, student-led, and experiential learning
    • Reduce emphasis on exhaustive curriculum coverage to allow for in-depth learning
    • Embed health promotion and well-being initiatives within school missions and educational agendas

 

b) Teaching Methodology

PLACES emphasizes a multi-dimensional teaching strategy that includes:

    • Playful learning
    • Whole school approach
    • Health education
    • Sustainability education (SDGs)
    • Empathy, collaboration, and active participation

 

  •  c) Strategic Implementation and Advocacy

For wide-scale adoption, PLACES recommends:

    • National and regional dissemination of its tools via digital platforms
    • Using existing networks or creating new platforms to inform and train educators
    • Promoting cost-effective, high-impact tools that improve both student well-being and academic performance
    • Strong project management, either internally (by schools) or externally (by project coordinators), to ensure coherence and sustainability

Final Thoughts

The PLACES Recommendations present a well-evidenced, practical roadmap for modernizing education through inclusive, engaging, and health-promoting methodologies. By aligning teaching with storytelling, experiential learning, and life skills development—while embedding these into strategic policy and practice—schools can significantly contribute to EU priorities such as equity, quality education, and well-being for all.
The integration of PLACES content in national curricula and school systems would not only enhance educational practices but also serve broader social and developmental goals across Europe.
Recommandations and Good Practice