Supporting children's play in early years

Unit 7Session 1

Aims and Objectives for sessionOutline meaning of philosophical

approachesIdentify why play is necessary for

children’s developmentOutline the definitions of playJustify how play links to areas of the EYFSIdentify the 12 features of playExplain how to make play motivational Outline what the United Nations

Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is

Starter Activity –

What does philosophical approaches

mean?

Philosophical Approaches Presentations

Over to

you!

Group Discussion

Why is play necessary for

the development of children?

Play

What does this term mean to you?

Discuss and write some notes on your mini whiteboards

Do you play?

What makes play, play?

Do we play in

different ways?

Do all children from

other countries

play?

Definitions of play

Play should be pleasurable, enjoyable. Even if child shows no signs the play is still valued

Play has no extrinsic goalsPlay is spontaneous and

voluntary, it is not obligatory but chosen by the child

Play involves active engagement

Link in the EYFS

Move around the room to identify how activities and play opportunities can offer development within the Areas of Learning and Development

Make sure everyone has a different coloured pen, to write answers.

12 Features of Quality Play

Bruce states that good quality play should consist of

The 12 features of play 1. Using first-hand experiences 2. Making up rules 3. Making props 4. Choosing to play 5. Rehearsing the future 6. Pretending 7. Playing alone 8. Playing together 9. Having a personal agenda 10. Being deeply involved 11. Trying out recent learning 12. Co-ordinating ideas, feelings and relationships for free flow play.

Bruce, T. (2001) Learning through play: babies Toddlers and the Foundation Years. London: Hodder and Stoughton (p. 117)

The importance of play

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_-1O_rBLPU

What activities cover active play?

What activities cover expletory play?

What activities develop imaginative play?

If/when you are a parent would you like your child to …..

Play with Jelly?

Play in the

rain?

Play with animals?

Be a helper?

Play with

dolls?

Play needs to be motivational

Play needs to be ‘real’

Adults need to take a step back

Provide situations that are pleasurable

Play needs to be directed by the child

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

An international agreement established by the United Nations to protect the human rights of the child

There are 54 articles to the Convention

The UK became a signatory to the UNCRC and agreed that from 1991 every child under 18 should have the rights listed in the Convention

United Nations Conventionon the Rights of the Child

Let’s read and see what rights children have in terms of play

Children Friendly Version

http://www.unicef.org/rightsite/files/uncrcchilldfriendlylanguage.pdf

UN Convention on the rights of children

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children have a right to play.

Important play opportunities are given to stimulate the brain (neuroscience) and encourage development in SPICE

Lets Play Beans

Supporting children's play in early years

Unit 7Session 2

Aims and Objectives for session

Identify age appropriate activities for areas of the EYFS

Outline what to consider when setting up play activities

Identify how own settings meets the right for children to play.

Describe daily timeline of play activities completed in their settings

Starter Activity – Individual task

As individuals write on each sheet of paper, as many activities for the identified age range as possible.

Make sure everyone has a different coloured pen, to write answers.

What do we need to consider when setting up play?

Write your ideas on the nursery layout template

Reflection

Write a reflection highlighting how your setting, meets the right for children to play

Use UN Convention on the rights of children for support

Daily timeline of play activitiesCreate a daily timeline of play

activities completed. Be as creative as possible

Feedback to the group, offering others ideas to take into their own placement

Extension – Link to areas within the EYFS

Self StudyUnit 7 – Play environments

Supporting children's play in early years

Unit 7Session 3

Aims and Objectives for sessionIdentify different types of playOutline to benefit of block playExplain how to combing different types of play

Explain why it is important to consider age and stage when planning activities

Outline the stages of play.

Starter Activity – Individual task

https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDbYCf7lLB0

How many different types of play did you see from this

clip?

Different settings will play in different ways..

Child Initiated

Adult initiated

Indoor play

Outdoor play

Block Play Article

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23791478

Play set upSpontaneous play is child directed and

the most rewarding for children to participate in as it builds on their interests. You can use this type of play to further learning.

Adult directed play refers to activities that involve adult interactions.

Give some examples of these types of play

Combing types of play

Children do not see play as types of play. Its just play.

Children will use resources/materials for various means. A hairbrush could be a microphone (symbolic play)

Important for us to be flexible in our practice and use various resources to promote development.

Team task – Think outside the boxWith the resources that you have on the table, what activity could you make with the children? Work in pairs.

Be as creative as possible, you will need to feedback to the group

You have 17mins http://

www.classtools.net/education-games-php/timer

Individuals

It is always important to consider the age and stage of development for individual children when planning activities.

Remember it is important to consider and adapt activity to meet children's individual needs.

Types of

play

Constructive

Creative/expressive

Physical

Quiet

Imaginative/

drama and role play

Messy/sensory

Case Study

JenStefanClaraNickA group of eight five year olds

Stages of playLearning to play is a gradual process

All areas of development can be promoted through valuable play experiences

There are 6 stages of play

Think back to your placement and think of examples that highlight the following stages

Exploratory Play

This is seen when observing babies as they are exploring their surroundings.

What resources can you provide to encourage exploration?

Solitary playThe child is playing alone, this is

usually seen until approximately 15-18 months

Parallel Play When a toddler will often play alongside

another toddler and show some awareness of the other child but wont share in the activity.

Have you seen this ?

Associative PlayThis develops from the age of 2

½ years. The children will play together. This is characterised by watching others and copying.

What would your role be?

Turn-taking /sharingFrom 3 years of age, play

becomes more complex as simple rules start to be used

Co-operative PlayThe final stage of play when the

children actively play together. They talk about their play and make decisions together.

Supporting children's play in early years

Unit 7Session 4

Aims and Objectives for sessionOutline different types of playOutline different types of messy playIdentify different types of imaginative

playOutline different types of constructive

playIdentify different types of creative playOutline different types of physical playOutline different types of quite playIdentify what heuristic play is.

Starter Activity – Types of play

Types of play

Messy/sensory Play•Paint•Playdough•Cornflour•Jelly•Beans•Custard•Water•Sand•Shaving foam

Messy play is good because children can• explore and

experiment with different texture

• It can be very soothing

• Learn to share equipment with others

• Use fine motor skills

• Use hand eye co ordination

Messy/ Sensory Play

Imaginative Play

•Puppet shows•Drama•Dancing•Playing with dolls/action figures•Role play•Singing•Music and movement

Imaginative play develops and supports children to• Use their

imagination• Imitate adult

roles• To practice

grown up skills• To pretend to be

others/animals• Think about

other people views/roles

• Provides understanding of job roles

Constructive Play

•Lego •Duplo•Train sets•Multilink•Construction straw•Wooden blocks

During this type of play children build. They learn and develop• Fine motor

skills• Hand eye

coordination• Work with

others• Solve

problems• Colours • Shapes

Construction Play

Creative Play

•Painting•Singing•Dancing•Writing•Mark making•Chalking•Card making•Cutting•Collage making

Creative play supports children to develop• Fine motor

skills• Hand eye co

ordination• Essential for

writing• Helps them to

express thought and feelings

• Creating own work

• Sharing ideas and opinions

• Learn about colour, shape and texture

Physical Play•Outdoor activities•Obstacle courses•Bike riding•Hoops•Skipping•Hopping•Swimming•Running•Slides•Tunnels•Threading•Interlinking

Physical play develops and supports • muscles and

gross motor skills

• Improves appetite

• Important for health and well being

• Important for mental stimulation

• Encourages good sleep patterns

• Fine motor skills• Hand eye co-

ordination• Spatial

awareness

Physical Play

Quiet Play

•Puzzles•Books•Story tapes•Computers•Smart boards•Drawing•Cutting•Board games•Talking/circle time

Quiet play supports and develops• sharing• reflection and

relaxing• Learning new

vocabulary• Learning how

to read/handle books

• Fine motor skills

• Hand eye co ordination

• Communication skills

Quite Play

Heuristic PlayHeuristic play is a way of offering a

group of children a range of objects to explore freely, with little adult intervention. This type of activity is particularly useful in encouraging young children to engage in an activity for more than a few minutes

Heuristic play baskets are a range of natural and ‘found’ everyday objects that stimulate all the senses.

Homework - make a treasure basket

What will you need to consider?

What will you collect?

How will you present this, use your self study time to create an explanation of items add and how this can benefit children's play and development?

Assessment task support

Assessment is due in

Formative – 21st

November

Final deadline –

12th December