Playing And Learning In Early Childhood Education

  playing and learning in early childhood education: Playing and Learning in Early Childhood Education Beverlie Dietze, Diane Dietze, Diane Kashin, 2011-03-09 Playing and Learning in Early Childhood Education supports early childhood education students, practitioners, and primary educators to engage in the exploration of the theoretical framework of play, characteristics of play, the environmental and cultural factors that influence play, and the application of developmentally appropriate play practices. The text includes in-depth information on emerging topics such as environmental literacy, sustainability in play settings, and the impact of new technology, as well as the importance of outdoor play to combat the rise of obesity.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Playing and Learning in Early Childhood Education, Second Edition Beverlie Dietze, Diane Kashin, 2018-01-29 Playing and Learning in Early Childhood Education supports early childhood education students, practitioners, and primary educators to engage in the exploration of the theoretical framework of play, characteristics of play, the environmental and cultural factors that influence play, and the application of developmentally appropriate play practices. Playing and Learning in Early Childhood Education is grounded in sharing new research, practices, and ways of knowing about play and its contributions it makes to the lives of children and how play sets the foundation for later academic and life dispositions. This new edition reinforces how play prepares children to develop the critical thinking, problem solving, their desire to be curious, and creative expression that facilitates their communication skills, ability to embrace place, community, their culture, and diversity amongst peers. These skills form the foundation for the 21st century skills needed that focus on STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: SAGE Handbook of Play and Learning in Early Childhood Elizabeth Brooker, Mindy Blaise, Susan Edwards, 2014-06-17 ′This Handbook offers diverse perspectives from scholars across the globe who help us see play in new ways. At the same time the basic nature of play gives a context for us to learn new theoretical frameworks and methods. A real gem!′ - Beth Graue, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Wisconsin Center for Education Research, USA Play and learning scholarship has developed considerably over the last decade, as has the recognition of its importance to children’s learning and development. Containing chapters from highly respected researchers, whose work has been critical to building knowledge and expertise in the field, this Handbook focuses on examining historical, current and future research issues in play and learning scholarship. Organized into three sections which consider: theoretical and philosophical perspectives on play and learning play in pedagogy, curriculum and assessment play contexts. The Handbook′s breadth, clarity and rigor will make it essential reading for researchers and postgraduate students, as well as professionals with interest in this dynamic and changing field. Liz Brooker is Reader in Early Childhood in the Faculty of Children and Learning at the Institute of Education, University of London. Mindy Blaise is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Early Childhood Education at the Hong Kong Institute of Education. Susan Edwards is Associate Professor in Curriculum and Pedagogy at Australian Catholic University. This handbook′s International Advisory Board included: Jo Aliwood, The University of Newcastle, Australia Pat Broadhead, Leeds Metropolitan University, Australia Stig Brostrom, Aarhus University, Denmark Hasina Ebrahim, University of the Free State, South Africa Beth Graue, Wisconsin Center for Education Research, USA Amita Gupta, The City College of New York, CUNY, USA Marjatta Kalliala, University of Helsinki, Finland Rebecca Kantor, University of Colorado Denver, USA Colette Murphy, Trinity College, Dublin, Republic of Ireland Ellen Sandseter, Queen Maud University College of Early Childhood Education, Norway
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Learning Through Play Christine Robinson, Tracy Treasure, Dee O'Connor, Gerardine Neylon, Cathie Harrison, Samantha Wynne, 2018-04-10 Learning Through Play translates the theory of play into practice while seamlessly integrating the Australian Curriculum, government policy and current trends. It aims to create a shared understanding of play and play-based pedagogies that positively influence the everyday practices of educators and improve the learning experiences of children. The book extensively covers the various contexts that children may engage with during the early years - the period from birth to age 8. Learning Through Play is structured to complement the Early Years Learning Framework and early childhood education studies. It begins by drawing on theories to discuss the centrality of play to children's development and learning, then delves into the practicalities and challenges of implementing these play-based approaches, and finally discusses the future of play in early childhood contexts. With several learning features that blend theory, context and practical skills, Learning Through Play will not only help pre-service teachers to understand play in principle and in practice, but also to advocate articulately for play-based approaches.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Play and Learning in Early Childhood Settings Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson, Marilyn Fleer, 2008-11-14 This book represents the outcome of the joint activities of a group of scholars who were concerned about the lack of international research in play for children from birth to 3 years. The authors are members of the Organisation Mondiale pour ` l’Education Prescholaire ́ (OMEP). For further information, see http://www.om- ong.net/. The idea of carrying out a research project internationally was born at the OMEP’s World Congress in Melbourne, Australia 2004. All member countries were invited and 10 countries decided to participate, of which three have withdrawn d- ing the process. The reason for this might be that in these countries only one person was working with the project, while other seven countries have been working in a team of two or more persons. The countries that have carried out research and contributed to this book with a chapter each are Australia, Chile, China, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and USA (Wisconsin). For more information about the p- ticipating countries and their corresponding addresses, see Appendix I. This book project started in Melbourne with a discussion about what is general in early childhood education globally, and what is culturally speci c. The discussion was inspired by one of the keynote speakers, Nazhat Shameem (2004), judge in the supreme court in Fiji, when she said: “If we all think we are so different and speci c in each culture, the role of human rights has no value anymore.” We formulated three questions:
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Play, Learning and the Early Childhood Curriculum Elizabeth Wood, Jane Attfield, 2005-05-17 `An excellent overview of the development in thinking about play, based on research into different aspects of play...This book enables the reader to not only access, and engage with developing theories and ideas, but also provides practical ideas and examples that have been tried and tested in the classroom. This book should be compulsory reading for every teacher of young children who are interested in developing their practice to provide a stimulating, active and playful environment with their children in which effective learning and positive attitudes are developed' - Bernadette Hancock, Headteacher of Christ the King Primary School, Cardiff `One of the major strengths of the book is that it makes some complex theory highly accessible to its audience....This makes it an excellent introductory book for use on inservice and undergraduate programs' - Sue Rogers, Institute of Education `This book aims to improve the quality of play in educational settings. It will be valuable for a wide range of practitioners' - Nursery World `In this new and updated edition of an outstanding book, Wood and Attfield once again demonstrate how young children make meaning, and construct knowledge, through play. They combine an informed discussion of the 'ideological tradition' of the early childhood pioneers, which continues to underpin most contemporary provision, with a refreshing openness to the new insights provided by recent research, and the new opportunities offered by the Foundation Stage era. Their unrivalled explanation of the links between theorists, such as Vygotsky, and classroom provision for play, is now expanded through considerations of recent findings in neuroscience, and a renewed awareness of the sociocultural contexts of childhood, as well as by studies which acknowledge the importance of boisterous, rough-and-tumble, play activities for children's development. And throughout, they remind readers and practitioners of the important distinction between play as a spontaneous activity of children ('play as such'), and the play which educators offer as a medium for learning' - Elizabeth Brooker, Course Leader: MA in Childhood Studies, Institute of Education 'This book provides a thorough and up-to-date overview of the topical issue of teaching and learning through play. Chapters cover issues including assessment through play, the role of adults in children's play, the impact of play on social and emotional learning and how to develop a whole-school approach to learning through play. ...This book is theoretical and detailed but extremely interesting and there is certainly practical information to be found in it' - Early Talk This timely Second Edition explores recent developments which strongly endorse play as an integral part of the curriculum. The content has been fully revised to reflect contemporary thinking about the role and value of play in early childhood and beyond. A key focus is the provision of a secure theoretical and practical grounding for developing a pedagogy of play. In the first section, the authors provide an overview of recent developments in education policies, and reviews of research into different aspects of play. In the second section, the emphasis is on classroom practice, specifically: organizing and developing play with particular reference to the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1; establishing progression and continuity with Key Stage 1; assessing children's learning through play; the role of adults in children's play; using the plan-do-review approach to integrate child-initiated and adult-directed play; the importance of socio-dramatic play for children's social and emotional learning; and developing a whole-school play ethos. This book enables practitioners to create unity between play, learning and teaching, and to improve the quality of children's learning. New material provided by practitioners has been added, to show how this unity can be successfully achieved. This is an essential text for students of education. It is highly recommended to those undertaking degrees in Childhood Studies and those on Initial Teacher Training programmes in early years and primary education.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Play-Responsive Teaching in Early Childhood Education Niklas Pramling, Cecilia Wallerstedt, Pernilla Lagerlöf, Camilla Björklund, Anne Kultti, Hanna Palmér, Maria Magnusson, Susanne Thulin, Agneta Jonsson, Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson, 2019-05-07 This open access book develops a theoretical concept of teaching that is relevant to early childhood education, and based on children’s learning and development through play. It discusses theoretical premises and research on playing and learning, and proposes the development of play-responsive didaktik. It examines the processes and products of learning and development, teaching and its phylogenetic and ontogenetic development, as well as the ‘what’ of learning and didaktik. Next, it explores the actions, objects and meaning of play and provides insight into the diversity of beliefs about the practices of play. The book presents ideas on how combined research and development projects can be carried out, providing incentive and a model for practice development and research. The second part of the book consists of empirical studies on teacher’s playing skills and examples of play with very young as well as older children.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Young Children's Play and Environmental Education in Early Childhood Education Amy Cutter-Mackenzie, Susan Edwards, Deborah Moore, Wendy Boyd, 2014-01-18 In an era in which environmental education has been described as one of the most pressing educational concerns of our time, further insights are needed to understand how best to approach the learning and teaching of environmental education in early childhood education. In this book we address this concern by identifying two principles for using play-based learning early childhood environmental education. The principles we identify are the result of research conducted with teachers and children using different types of play-based learning whilst engaged in environmental education. Such play-types connect with the historical use of play-based learning in early childhood education as a basis for pedagogy. In the book ‘Beyond Quality in ECE and Care’ authors Dahlberg, Moss and Pence implore readers to ask critical questions about commonly held images of how young children come to construct themselves within social institutions. In similar fashion, this little book problematizes the taken-for-grantedness of the childhood development project in service to the certain cultural narratives. Cutter-Mackenzie, Edwards, Moore and Boyd challenge traditional conceptions of play-based learning through the medium of environmental education. This book signals a turning point in social thought grounded in a relational view of (environmental) education as experiential, intergenerational, interspecies, embodied learning in the third space. As Barad says, such work is based in inter-actions that can account for the tangled spaces of agencies. Through the deceptive simplicity of children’s play, the book stimulates deliberation of the real purposes of pedagogy and of schooling. Paul Hart, University of Regina, Canada
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Play and Learning in the Early Years Pat Broadhead, Justine Howard, Elizabeth Wood, 2010-03-15 Providing high quality play experiences is an essential part of good early years education, but this can pose a challenge for practitioners who face pressure from a more didactic primary curriculum, and from parents worried that their children will fail to acquire essential skills and knowledge. By helping the reader to develop their understanding of the complex relationships between play and learning, this book examines current theoretical perspectives on play, alongside examples of recent and innovative play research from a range of disciplinary and methodological perspectives. With contributions from leading play scholars, it brings together theory, research, policy and practice in relation to play and learning in early years settings. The emphasis is on the relationship between play and learning, and play and pedagogy, and the need to understand these dimensions more substantially in order to teach with confidence. Included are chapters on: - the influence of play on thinking, problem-solving and creativity - cooperative play and learning - play, risk and outdoor learning - learning to play in cultural context There are chapter objectives, reflective points, reflective tasks and suggestions for further reading throughout, to facilitate critical thinking and encourage independent study. Suitable for early years practitioners, early childhood students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and all those who work with and care for young children, this is an exciting and thought-provoking book.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Lisa Murphy on Play Lisa Murphy, 2016-05-16 Discover why playing is school readiness with this updated guide. Timely research and new stories highlight how play is vital to the social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual development of children. Learn the seven meaningful experiences we should provide children with every day and why they are so important.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Why Play? Learning Through Play Chris K. Pancoast, 2019-06-04 Why Play? Learning Through Play is a valuable resource for everyone interested in exploring early childhood education and development. This book explores the critical importance of play for children (and for adults!) Some topics discussed include: Reasons that play is important Types of play Brain development Health and nutrition Tips for how adults can promote play Educational philosophies For more information and to explore the world of play visit, www.whyplay60.org
  playing and learning in early childhood education: From Play to Practice Marcia L. Nell, Walter F. Drew, Deborah E. Bush, 2013 Describes play workshop experiences that give educators a deeper understanding of play-based learning and illustrate the power of play.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Varied Perspectives on Play and Learning Ole Fredrik Lillemyr, Sue Dockett, Bob Perry, 2013-09-01 This book brings together an international group of researchers reporting on their work about play and early childhood education across 13 countries – Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England, Germany, Hong Kong, United States of America, India, The Maldives, Sri Lanka, Singapore, China and Australia. It contributes to growing international conversations about play and the role of play in early childhood education. Each of the chapters in this anthology reflects different directions in research as well as a range of approaches to reconceptualising play. Each researcher questions assumptions underpinning young children’s play and early childhood education and explores the implications of these questions for further research, practice and policy. Chapters report a wide range of innovative and transformative research, focusing on areas such as the play of infants and toddlers, the role of values in play, the complexity of connections between play and learning, motivation, the role and understandings of early childhood educators in promoting children’s play, risky play and the impact of Westernised approaches to play in different contexts. This book argues for the importance of children’s play at a time when there is a great deal of pressure to increase the academic focus of early education and to eliminate play that could be deemed risky. Several authors note moves towards pedagogies of play and explore the potential links between play and learning in early education settings. The research reported in this book is a timely reminder of the value of play, for and of itself, as well as the learning potential of play. It provides a pathway into the debates about the role and value of play in early years education for students, researchers and policy-makers.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Visible Learning in Early Childhood Kateri Thunder, John Almarode, John Hattie, 2021-09-13 Make learning visible in the early years Early childhood is a uniquely sensitive time, when young learners are rapidly developing across multiple domains, including language and literacy, mathematics, and motor skills. Knowing which teaching strategies work best and when can have a significant impact on a child’s development and future success. Visible Learning in Early Childhood investigates the critical years between ages 3 and 6 and, backed by evidence from the Visible Learning® research, explores seven core strategies for learning success: working together as evaluators, setting high expectations, measuring learning with explicit success criteria, establishing developmentally appropriate levels of learning, viewing mistakes as opportunities, continually seeking feedback, and balancing surface, deep, and transfer learning. The authors unpack the symbiotic relationship between these seven tenets through Authentic examples of diverse learners and settings Voices of master teachers from the US, UK, and Australia Multiple assessment and differentiation strategies Multidisciplinary approaches depicting mathematics, literacy, art and music, social-emotional learning, and more Using the Visible Learning research, teachers partner with children to encourage high expectations, developmentally appropriate practices, the right level of challenge, and a focus on explicit success criteria. Get started today and watch your young learners thrive!
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 National Research Council, Institute of Medicine, Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Committee on the Science of Children Birth to Age 8: Deepening and Broadening the Foundation for Success, 2015-07-23 Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Learning Through Play Elizabeth LASLEY, Diane NABORS, Lory HAAS, 2016-05-03
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Serious Fun Marie L. Masterson, Holly Bohart, 2019 A practical book for teachers consisting of 10 YC and TYC articles on the importance of integrating rich content-based, teacher-guided instruction with meaningful child-centered play to nurture children's emerging capabilities and skills.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Play in Early Childhood Education Marjory Ebbeck, Manjula Waniganayake, 2016 Play is fundamental to the way children grow and learn. Play in Early Childhood Education: Learning in Diverse Contexts introduces pre-service teachers to learning theories around play and equips educators with the tools they need to facilitate learning and development through play ineducational contexts. The second edition clearly demonstrates links to current Australian government education policy and frameworks, including the Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Standards, while also providing valuable cross-cultural perspectives.Updated case studies and reflective questions help to unpack complex theory and practical teaching examples, based on current research findings, feature throughout the text. It also offers guidance on a wide range of topics that will be highly relevant in the rapidly changing environments wherechildren are raised and educated, demonstrating diverse approaches to play-based learning and considering new insights and possibilities.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: The SAGE Handbook of Outdoor Play and Learning Tim Waller, Eva Ärlemalm-Hagsér, Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter, Libby Lee-Hammond, Kristi Lekies, Shirley Wyver, 2017-06-19 There has been a growing academic interest in the role of outdoor spaces for play in a child′s development. This text represents a coordinated and comprehensive volume of international research on this subject edited by members of the well-established European Early Childhood Education Research Association Outdoor Play and Learning SIG (OPAL). Chapters written by authors from Europe, North and South America, Australasia and Asia Pacific countries are organised into six sections: Theoretical Frameworks and Conceptual Approaches for Understanding Outdoor Play & Learning Critical Reflections on Policy and Regulation in Outdoor Play & Learning Children′s Engagement with Nature, Sustainability and Children′s Geographies Diverse Contexts and Inclusion in Children′s Outdoor Play Environments Methodologies for Researching Outdoor Play and Learning Links Between Research and Practice
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition (Fully Revised and Updated) Naeyc, 2021-08 The long-awaited new edition of NAEYC's book Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs is here, fully revised and updated! Since the first edition in 1987, it has been an essential resource for the early childhood education field. Early childhood educators have a professional responsibility to plan and implement intentional, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that promote the social and emotional development, physical development and health, cognitive development, and general learning competencies of each child served. But what is developmentally appropriate practice (DAP)? DAP is a framework designed to promote young children's optimal learning and development through a strengths-based approach to joyful, engaged learning. As educators make decisions to support each child's learning and development, they consider what they know about (1) commonality in children's development and learning, (2) each child as an individual (within the context of their family and community), and (3) everything discernible about the social and cultural contexts for each child, each educator, and the program as a whole. This latest edition of the book is fully revised to underscore the critical role social and cultural contexts play in child development and learning, including new research about implicit bias and teachers' own context and consideration of advances in neuroscience. Educators implement developmentally appropriate practice by recognizing the many assets all young children bring to the early learning program as individuals and as members of families and communities. They also develop an awareness of their own context. Building on each child's strengths, educators design and implement learning settings to help each child achieve their full potential across all domains of development and across all content areas.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: The Cambridge Handbook of Play Peter K. Smith, Jaipaul L. Roopnarine, 2018-11-15 Play takes up much of the time budget of young children, and many animals, but its importance in development remains contested. This comprehensive collection brings together multidisciplinary and developmental perspectives on the forms and functions of play in animals, children in different societies, and through the lifespan. The Cambridge Handbook of Play covers the evolution of play in animals, especially mammals; the development of play from infancy through childhood and into adulthood; historical and anthropological perspectives on play; theories and methodologies; the role of play in children's learning; play in special groups such as children with impairments, or suffering political violence; and the practical applications of playwork and play therapy. Written by an international team of scholars from diverse disciplines such as psychology, education, neuroscience, sociology, evolutionary biology and anthropology, this essential reference presents the current state of the field in play research.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Play in Early Childhood Mary Sheridan, Justine Howard, Dawn Alderson, 2010-12-16 Based on the pioneering work of Mary D. Sheridan, Play in Early Childhood is a classic introductory text to play and development – key topics for all those who work with young children. Updated for a contemporary audience and fully evidence-based, it explains how children’s play develops and how they develop as they play. With over eighty illustrations and observations of play from birth to six years, this new edition presents classical and contemporary literature, making clear links between play and all areas of children’s development. It includes activities to consolidate thinking and suggestions for further reading throughout. Play in Early Childhood considers: the development, value and characteristics of play issues relating to culture, adversity and gender play from recreational, therapeutic and educational perspectives the role of parents/caregivers and professionals in supporting play Suitable for those new to the area or for more experienced workers wanting a quick reference guide, this easy-to-follow book meets the needs of students and professionals from a wide range of health, education and social care backgrounds, including early years professionals, playworkers, children’s nurses, speech and language therapists and social workers.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Early Childhood Matters Kathy Sylva, Edward Melhuish, Pam Sammons, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Brenda Taggart, 2010-01-04 The editors, particularly Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Kathy Sylva and Ted Melhuish, are extremely well respected authorities in their field The results of this genuinely ground-breaking study are eagerly awaited by many researchers in this area Includes clear implications of the study for practice and ensuring educational effectiveness Education for All (Richard Pring) is based on the Primary version of this study, so the two books can be promoted together
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Young Children Playing and Learning in a Digital Age Christine Stephen, Susan Edwards, 2017-11-27 Young Children Playing and Learning in a Digital Age explores the emergence of the digital age and young children’s experiences with digital technologies at home and in educational environments. Drawing on theory and research-based evidence, this book makes an important contribution to understanding the contemporary experiences of young children in the digital age. It argues that a cultural and critically informed perspective allows educators, policy-makers and parents to make sense of children’s digital experiences as they play and learn, enabling informed decision-making about future early years curriculum and practices at home and in early learning and care settings. An essential read for researchers, students, policy-makers and professionals working with children today, this book draws attention to the evolution of digital developments and the relationship between contemporary technologies, play and learning in the early years.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Guidance of Young Children Marian Marion, 2015 Written in a conversational style, yet solidly grounded in child development theory and research, Guidance of Young Children, 9/e focuses on positive and developmentally appropriate child guidance, while encouraging reflection, opportunities for applying knowledge, and the ability to make intentional and wise child guidance decisions. Based on the author's belief that adults need to have realistic expectations of children, the book emphasizes understanding young children's development, using a developmentally appropriate approach to guidance, and thinking critically in making wise guidance decisions. Invigorate learning with the Enhanced Pearson eText The Enhanced Pearson eText provides a rich, interactive learning environment designed to improve student mastery of content with the following multimedia features: Embedded video links in each chapter illustrate key concepts and strategies. (See pages 198, 212, and 280 for examples.) Questions for Reflection provoke students to think about past experiences, their thoughts about appropriate practice, or feelings about a situation. (See pages 43, 79, and 212 for examples.) Focus on Practice boxes are video-based learning experiences with questions that help students to deepen their understanding of theory and practice. (See pages 26, 81, and 189 for examples.) NAEYC Standards and Key Elements that pertain to each chapter are embedded in the eText so students can connect these standards to their practice. (See pages 4, 184, and 334 for examples.)
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Playing to Learn Sandra Smidt, 2010-09-13 Sandra Smidt sets out to explain what play is and why it is so important as one of the key ways of learning, particularly - but not solely - for young children. She argues that all play is purposeful, and can only truly considered to be play when the child has chosen what to do, where and how to do it. Using case studies drawn from all over the world, Smidt challenges some of the prevailing myths relating to play and pays close attention to what it is that early years professionals need to do to interpet the play, understand its purpose for the child and sometimes extend it. Attention is paid to the close links that play has with creativity, and the author also highlights the importance of being able to explain to colleagues, parents and even those in government, why play matters so much in terms of learning and development. This book will be of interest to anyone involved in early years’ education.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Educational Encounters: Nordic Studies in Early Childhood Didactics Niklas Pramling, Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson, 2011-08-10 Qualitative analyses of young children’s learning in natural settings are rare, so this new book will make educators sit up and pay attention. It lays out a Nordic, or continental European teaching and learning paradigm whose didactic framework is distinct from the Anglo-American system. This analysis, which features contributions and case studies from researchers in a range of subjects, is built on principles such as the learner’s perspective, establishing sufficient intersubjectivity, ‘pointing out’, and informing experience linguistically. After clarifying some historical background, the book discusses the contemporary emphasis in early childhood education on pedagogy/learning. What should ‘didactics’ mean in educating young children? The book examines the opportunities for learning that teachers provide for children in early childhood education, as well as how children respond to these opportunities. It presents empirical studies from a variety of naturalistic settings, including mathematics, making visual art, ecology, music, dance, literacy and story-telling, as well as learning about gender, morality and democracy. The authors seek to answer key questions about the processes involved in both teaching and learning. What challenges do teachers face as they try to expand children’s knowledge in various fields of learning? How do they respond to these challenges, and what can we learn about children’s corresponding uptake? What now requires further research? One key distinction in researching children’s learning is between studies that look at ‘process’ and those that analyze ‘product’. In the tradition of Piaget, Vygotsky and Werner, as well as Mercer and Valsiner’s more recent work, this book advocates the importance and relative rareness of the former type of study.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Multiple Perspectives on Play in Early Childhood Education Olivia N. Saracho, Bernard Spodek, 1998-01-15 Play has been part of early childhood programs since the initial kindergarten developed by Friedreich Froebel more than one hundred and fifty years ago. While research shows that most teachers value children's play, they often do not know how to guide that play to make it more educational. Too often, in reflecting the value of child-initiated activities, teachers set the stage for children's play, observe it, but hesitate to intervene in that play. They may fear that to intervene is to create a developmentally inappropriate set of educational practices. However, the lack of intervention may limit the educational outcomes of play. Meanwhile, a large body of research exists on different forms of children's play in educational settings that could inform teachers of young children and help them to improve their practice and support more educational play. Saracho and Spodek bring together much of that research in an accessible volume for early childhood teachers and teacher educators.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Choice Time Renée Dinnerstein, 2016 Inquiry based play; Centers for reading; writing; mathematics and science
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Child-initiated Play and Learning Annie Woods, 2013 Planning is central to the role of any early years practitioner and involves careful consideration of resources and the learning environment, learning outcomes, observation and assessment and the unique abilities of individual children. This is a big ask and in a busy setting it can be a challenge to adopt a flexible, creative approach to planning that embraces the unexpected rather than relying on templates or existing schemes of work. This book takes a fresh look at planning to consider the possibilities that should be encouraged when playing alongside young children. It shows how a creative approach that allows for spontaneous adventures in play through child-led projects leads to rich learning experiences that build on children's own interests. Drawing on practice from Reggio Emilia, New Zealand, Scandinavia and settings in the UK, the book covers all aspects of planning including: using observations of children to enable them to lead projects; organisation of indoor and outdoor learning environments; inclusive practice; learning through risk taking and adventure play; working with parents and carers; encouraging the team to consider different ways of working. Including encounters from authentic settings and provocative questions for reflective practice, this timely new text aims to give students and practitioners the confidence to adopt a flexible approach to planning that will better meet the needs of the children in their care. The authors are experienced lecturers, practitioners, mentors and assessors. Working with students, visiting placements, training teachers and early years professionals, they provide a sense of real purpose in their writing and enjoyment in the themes made explicit throughout this book.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Working with Families Rena Shimoni, Joanne Marlena Baxter, 2013-09-26 Working with Families teaches the important connection between the well-being of children and the well-being of families. The authors accomplish this by integrating knowledge from a broad range of disciplines--sociology, psychology, anthropology--into a practical book that combines their theoretical knowledge, professional experience, and involvement with students.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Eager to Learn National Research Council, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Committee on Early Childhood Pedagogy, 2001-01-22 Clearly babies come into the world remarkably receptive to its wonders. Their alertness to sights, sounds, and even abstract concepts makes them inquisitive explorersâ€and learnersâ€every waking minute. Well before formal schooling begins, children's early experiences lay the foundations for their later social behavior, emotional regulation, and literacy. Yet, for a variety of reasons, far too little attention is given to the quality of these crucial years. Outmoded theories, outdated facts, and undersized budgets all play a part in the uneven quality of early childhood programs throughout our country. What will it take to provide better early education and care for our children between the ages of two and five? Eager to Learn explores this crucial question, synthesizing the newest research findings on how young children learn and the impact of early learning. Key discoveries in how young children learn are reviewed in language accessible to parents as well as educators: findings about the interplay of biology and environment, variations in learning among individuals and children from different social and economic groups, and the importance of health, safety, nutrition and interpersonal warmth to early learning. Perhaps most significant, the book documents how very early in life learning really begins. Valuable conclusions and recommendations are presented in the areas of the teacher-child relationship, the organization and content of curriculum, meeting the needs of those children most at risk of school failure, teacher preparation, assessment of teaching and learning, and more. The book discusses: Evidence for competing theories, models, and approaches in the field and a hard look at some day-to-day practices and activities generally used in preschool. The role of the teacher, the importance of peer interactions, and other relationships in the child's life. Learning needs of minority children, children with disabilities, and other special groups. Approaches to assessing young children's learning for the purposes of policy decisions, diagnosis of educational difficulties, and instructional planning. Preparation and continuing development of teachers. Eager to Learn presents a comprehensive, coherent picture of early childhood learning, along with a clear path toward improving this important stage of life for all children.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Rethinking Early Childhood Education Ann Pelo, 2008 Rethinking Early Childhood Education is alive with the conviction that teaching young children involves values and vision. This anthology collects inspiring stories about social justice teaching with young children. Included here is outstanding writing from childcare teachers, early-grade public school teachers, scholars, and parents.Early childhood is when we develop our core dispositions -- the habits of thinking that shape how we live. This book shows how educators can nurture empathy, an ecological consciousness, curiosity, collaboration, and activism in young children. It invites readers to rethink early childhood education, reminding them that it is inseparable from social justice and ecological education.An outstanding resource for childcare providers, early-grade teachers, as well as teacher education and staff development programs.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Learning and Teaching in Early Childhood Wendy Boyd, Nicole Green, Jessie Jovanovic, 2021-08-02 Learning and Teaching in Early Childhood: Pedagogies of Inquiry and Relationships is an introduction for early childhood educators beginning their studies. Reflecting the fact that there is no single correct approach to the challenges of teaching, this book explores teaching through two lenses: teaching as inquiry and teaching as relating. The first part of the book focuses on inquiry, covering early childhood learning environments, learning theories, play pedagogies, approaches to teaching and learning, documentation and assessment, and the policy, curriculum and regulatory requirements in Australia. The second part explores relationships in early childhood contexts and covers topics such as fostering meaningful and respectful relationships with children, and working with families, staff and the wider community. Written by well-respected academics in the field, Learning and Teaching in Early Childhood is a vital resource for those entering the early childhood education and care profession.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Children's Issues Coalition, 2003 Caribbean Childhoods: From Research to Action is an annual publication produced by the Children s Issues Coalition at the University of the West Indies, Mona. The series seeks to provide an avenue for the dissemination of research and experiences on children s health, development, behaviour and education, and to provide a forum for the discussion of these issues.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: The Early Years Matter Marilou Hyson, Heather Biggar Tomlinson, 2014-05-23 This accessible and enaging work introduces current and future teachers, child care providers, and others interested in early childhood education to the importance for the early years in children's well-being and success. It summarizes their research on the value of high-quality services for young children, families, and society, showing why early education matters both today and into the future. Emphasizing the need to understand and respect young children's strengths and unique characteristics, the authors offer inspiration for working in the field, as well as addressing the realistic challenges of implementing developmentally appropriate care and education.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: The Power of Playful Learning Joyce Hemphill, Laura Scheinholtz, Heather Von Bank, 2014-07-02 Collection of play activities that support classroom curriculum. Games and activities can be made from common household recyclables. Activities are organized based on applied skills including estimating, measuring, and graphing, planning and development, putting things together, sequencing, making connections, and spatial relations, and developing an understanding of objects in motion.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: The Early Childhood Care and Education Workforce National Research Council, Institute of Medicine, Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Committee on Early Childhood Care and Education Workforce: A Workshop, 2012-02-10 Early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings offer an opportunity to provide children with a solid beginning in all areas of their development. The quality and efficacy of these settings depend largely on the individuals within the ECCE workforce. Policy makers need a complete picture of ECCE teachers and caregivers in order to tackle the persistent challenges facing this workforce. The IOM and the National Research Council hosted a workshop to describe the ECCE workforce and outline its parameters. Speakers explored issues in defining and describing the workforce, the marketplace of ECCE, the effects of the workforce on children, the contextual factors that shape the workforce, and opportunities for strengthening ECCE as a profession.
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Crisis in the Kindergarten E. Miller, 2009
  playing and learning in early childhood education: Early Childhood Play Matters Kathy Walker, Shona Bass, 2015-11-01 Early Childhood Play Matters provides guidance and many practical ideas on implementing the Walker Learning Approach within early childhood learning practices.
Learning through play - UNICEF
The brief describes the nature of pre-primary services within the broader concept of early learning. We then share definitions of what is meant by …

Learning Through Play in Early Childhood Education - Sprin…
Learning through play and developmental notions have permeated early childhood pedagogies for gener-ations. However, more …

Learning, Playing and Interacting - Birth To 5 Matt…
The EYFS and the Early Learning Goals (ELGs), however, provide sufficient flexibility for practitioners to follow children’s interests, respond to their …

‘The playing-exploring child’: Reconceptualizing the relatio…
Play and learning are often paired in early childhood education (ECE) practice and research. At times, the pairing of learning and play is …

Ways of Learning: Playing and exploring - Optimus Education
learning are an integral part of the three prime and four specific areas of learning, and describe the attitudes, skills, and approaches to learning …

Learning through play - UNICEF
The brief describes the nature of pre-primary services within the broader concept of early learning. We then share definitions of what is meant by play in early childhood, followed by key points of …

Learning Through Play in Early Childhood Education - Springer
Learning through play and developmental notions have permeated early childhood pedagogies for gener-ations. However, more contemporary theories of learning through play have focused on …

Learning, Playing and Interacting - Birth To 5 Matters
The EYFS and the Early Learning Goals (ELGs), however, provide sufficient flexibility for practitioners to follow children’s interests, respond to their ideas for developing play activities, …

‘The playing-exploring child’: Reconceptualizing the relationship ...
Play and learning are often paired in early childhood education (ECE) practice and research. At times, the pairing of learning and play is framed in a way that suggests a dichotomy in which …

Ways of Learning: Playing and exploring - Optimus Education
learning are an integral part of the three prime and four specific areas of learning, and describe the attitudes, skills, and approaches to learning which can be nurtured in the early years. The …

Challenging practice to further improve learning, playing and ...
For example, the list of key ways skilled and thoughtful practitioners support learning contained in Learning, Playing and Interacting (p. 27), which has been adapted below, could be used as …

The Playing Learning Child: Towards a pedagogy of early childhood
The Playing Learning Child: Towards a pedagogy of early childhood. Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson* and Maj Asplund Carlsson. Go ̈teborg University, Sweden. From children’s own …

Play-based pedagogy: An approach to advance young children’s …
supporting learning in early childhood education. When children play with peers or adults, they learn essential skills to help them grow and be ready to face and succeed in the daily …

The relation of play and learning empirically studied and …
Play is considered an important aspect of Early Childhood Education and Care. However, the relationship between play and learning is often taken for granted both in research and praxis. …

‘They Get Fed Up with Playing’: parents’ views on play-based learning …
Our exploration reveals a diversity and complexity of understandings and interpretations of play in the early years, even within the small, relatively homogenous group of parents in this study. …

Powerful Role of Play in Early Education Resources - (CA Dept of Education)
The Powerful Role of Play in Early Education, an important publication filled with practical strategies teachers can use right away to create high-quality play-based early learning …

Play and Learning In Early Care and Education Settings
children. Research on playful learning can help inform early education program standards, learning standards, curriculum choices, and classroom assessment practices. Research …

Let Our Children Play: The Importance of Play in Early Childhood Education
In this paper, these questions will be addressed by explaining how children learn through play in an early childhood setting, why it is a rich environment to learn, what constructive play means, …

The importance of play - University of Cambridge
May 2011, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Early Years Learning in the European Union, which notes that the early years of childhood are critical for children’s …

Learning and developing through play - Aistear Siolta
Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework Learning and developing through play What is my role as the adult in play? The adult provides children with the support, props, time, and …

The Importance of Play for Young Children - NAEYC
Right along with learning how to move and talk and make things happen, infants and toddlers are gradually learning to focus their attention, control their impulses, make decisions, manage …

Playful Learning: The Role of Play in Early Childhood Education ...
Playful learning is comprised of both free play and guided play. Children need to engage in free play to expand their language and social skills, but educators can also structure environments …

CMEC Statement on Play-Based Learning
When children are playing, children are learning. Given the evidence, CMEC believes in the intrinsic value and importance of play and its relationship to learning. Educators should …

Play-based learning and your child - Department of Education …
Play-based learning and your child Young children are naturally motivated to play. Research shows that in children’s early years, play is also the best way for them to learn and grow. What …

Practice Note - Play-Based Learning - college-ece.ca
Practice Notes provide a brief overview of important topics directly related to the practice of early childhood education and offer supporting information to enhance Registered Early Childhood …