Scenario) You are working in an Early Years setting and within the team there is conflict about the nature of play and its role in the curriculum. Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the nature of play, explain what it is, why children engage in it and how it contributes to children’s development and learning. Critically engage with the literature and include the views of key theorists about the significance of play
‘Early childhood education is underpinned by a strong tradition which regards play as essential to learning and development’ (Wood& Attefield, 2005: 1). This view is derived from educators such as Vygotsky, Frobel, Bruce, Isaac and Moyles who have carried out various research and observations on the effects of play. Despite this, the nature of play and its role in the curriculum continues to be critically analysed and debated, particularly beyond the early years of school. This essay seeks to outline the importance of play by analysing what it is, why children engage in it and how it contributes to development and learning.
In society today, play is associated with childhood as many hold the belief that children are the only people who engage with play however Moyles (1989) states otherwise, she begins to explain that ‘play is undoubtedly a means by which humans and animals explore a variety of experiences in different situations for diverse purposes’ (1989: ix). This is evidently true, as when adults receive a new gadget their initial reaction is to play around with the different components. It is through frequent use of that same object that individuals begin to familiarise themselves with the object and its components: ‘in a child’s play this is known as functional play’ (Moyles, 1989). A hand o...
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... deprived of play, the outcome of such situations leads to adverse effects in learning and development. Hence this holds a strong argument as to why play, plays a central role in the early years curriculum.
Works Cited
Bruce,T (2001). Learning through Play: Babies, Toddlers and the Foundation Years, London: Stoughton Educational
Hoorn, J, Patricia, N, Scales, B and Alward,K (1993). Play at the Centre of the Curriculum, United States of America: Macmillan
Moyles, J (1989). Just Playing?, Philadelphia: Open University Press
Smidth, S (2002) A Guide to Early Years Practice, London: Routledge Falmer
Tassoni, P and Beith, K (2002) Diploma Child Care and Education, Surrey: Heinemann Educational
Wood, E and Attfield, J. Play, Learning and the Early Years Curriculum, Devon: Paul Chapman
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http://www.playwales.org.uk/downloaddoc.asp?id=1&page=67&skin=0
Interestingly it was through this process of sharing our professional experiences that we established the central idea of our exhibition. We had determined that the importance of play in the Early Years was a theme that was often debated by parents, colleagues and policy makers. By choosing this as our topic we hoped to have an enhanced understanding of the historical implications of play in Early Years Education, resulting in professional competence and the ability to guide and mentor others on the significance of play. Rodd (1996) endorses this importance of Early Years Professionals having the skills to build, establish and maintain credibility in the fast-changing sector of Early Years.
Wood, E. Attfield, J. (1996) Play learning and the early childhood curriculum. London: Paul Chapman.
When Albert Einstein stated that “play is the highest form of research,” I believe that from a child's perspective he could not have been anymore right. Through analyzing the play episodes of a four year old girl named Noelle, I was able to relate my observations to research and theory regarding the development and benefits of play that influence the social, emotional, and cognitive development of children. As children play they learn which helps them to progress and develop their minds and social skills. Play is one of the most influential exercises to progressively develop children.
My desire for children in my care is that their learning journey would be meaningful as they explore the ideas and activities they are interested in. This means that I believe that children are naturally motivated learners and should have the opportunity to learn through their own explorations and through collaboration with other children and educators. I believe this can be done through both teacher-initiated and child-initiated activities and supported through play. I also believe that play is a natural and enjoyable means through which children learn. In my practice I aim to encourage children’s natural ...
Many theorists have tried to define play as a concept, however, no two agree on a set definition. Their backgrounds and induvial lifestyles influence the way they see the importance of play. Reed and Brown also believe that there isn’t an agreed definition of play because is something that is felt rather than done (Reed & Brown, 2000 cited in Brock, Dodd’s, Jarvis & Olusoga, 2009). In spite of this, it is clear that most theorists uphold the ethos that play is imperative to a child’s learning and development. There is a wide range of different studies and theories which helps us develop our own perception of what play is. In my personal experience I have found play to be a way of expressive our emotions, exploring and learning new things, thus
..., J., & Garzoli, E. (2007, November 11). The Effectiveness of a Play-Based Curriculum in Early Childhood Education. Retrieved from http://teachplaybasedlearning.com/8.html
Thinking back on my childhood, I first remember all the times I played outside in my backyard. I would pretend to dig up dinosaur bones or create imaginary realms of ancient lands; there I would perform diplomatic services for the people in need. I was usually alone, and those are some of my fondest memories. When I first decided to become a teacher and thought about what is important to my philosophy on how children learn, I immediately knew I was a strong believer in play. Although, many decision makers such as legislators and school district leaders believe in more academic types of learning styles, my paper will discuss why play is so powerful and important to children.
...ctive. Play is an essential learning tool and one that must not be ignored within the classroom. It is a catalyst to help children develop socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. It is not only an important part of a child’s development as a pupil but also a child’s development as an individual.
Play helps build sturdy learning foundations because later levels of learning are built upon the earlier ones. All types of play, from fantasy to rough-and-tumble have a crucial role in the development of children. It is the lens through which children experience their world and the world of others. If deprived to play, they are at bigger possibility for atypical development and deviant behavior. Without play, self-control does not develop satisfactorily Goldstein, J. (2012)
Isenberg, J. P., & Jalongo, M. R. (n.d.). Why is play important? Social and emotional development, physical development, creative development. In Creative thinking and arts-based learning preschool through fourth grade (2006 ed., pp. 53-55). Retrieved from http://www.education.com/ reference/article/importance-play--social-emotional/
Roopnarine (2011) argued play is defined as both culturally framed and unframed activities that are considered under the ‘playfulness '. On the other hand, some people argued play should be seen as a form of cultural expression and that people 's participation in play will differ across cultures due to their responsibilities rather than their abilities. Different people have various points of view towards play. The play
My topic links to the curriculum for Excellence as it emphasises that children learn through active play such as spontaneous play, planned, purposeful play along with investigating and exploring. (Scottish Executive Education Department,
...ng in the educational context requires teachers as the competent adults or instructors, it demonstrates the importance of teacher presence in all areas of the curriculum especially in play. Whether through Piaget’s cognitive constructivism or Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development, it is important for teachers to actively participate and interact with the children to foster their cognitive and social development. To scaffold children’s play, the teacher is important in roles such as creating the right play environment by preparing adequate materials, designing the playing space and ensuring adequate play materials, designing appropriate play experiences to structure and facilitate the children’s development and facilitating interactions among the children and between themselves and the children to facilitate and support meaning making (Module 2 & Module 3, 2012).
Before diving into my research, I reflected on the knowledge I already knew regarding play and play based learning. From experience, I know that play is an enjoyable activity for children, and even some adults. I know that there are different ways one can play. For example, playing with others is known as cooperative play and playing alone is considered solitary play. There are different types of play. For example, there is dress up or pretend games, which is considered dramatic, play and there is playing with building blocks which is constructive play. After my reflection I realized that I was more knowledgeable on the action of playing rather then the benefits of it.
To clarify the importance of play I would first explain what is the character of play in early childhood