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Play and Learning in the Early Years: From Research to Practice
by Pat Broadhead Justine Howard Elizabeth WoodProviding 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.
Play and Learning in the Early Years: An Inclusive Approach (Tried And Tested Strategies Ser.)
by Angela GlennPlay is crucial to every child's development. Use these practical strategies to ensure all children benefit from learning through play. Includes: Short case studies that illustrate how strategies work in practice Practical, topical information on how to include all children in day-to-day activities Explanation of how different types of SEN can affect a child's play Advice on how to address different behaviours seen during play Photocopiable resources Written for practitioners in all pre-school settings, as well as students, parents and childminders.
Play and Literacy in Early Childhood: Research From Multiple Perspectives
by Kathleen A. Roskos James F. ChristieThis volume brings together studies, research syntheses, and critical commentaries that examine play-literacy relationships from cognitive, ecological, and cultural perspectives. The cognitive view focuses on mental processes that appear to link play and literacy activities; the ecological stance examines opportunities to engage in literacy-related play in specific environments; and the social-cultural position stresses the interface between the literacy and play cultures of home, community, and the school. Examining play from these diverse perspectives provides a multidimensional view that deepens understanding and opens up new avenues for research and educational practice. Each set of chapters is followed by a critical review by a distinguished play scholar. These commentaries' focus is to hold research on play and literacy up to scrutiny in terms of scientific significance, methodology, and utility for practice. A Foreword by Margaret Meek situates these studies in the context of current trends in literacy learning and instruction. Earlier studies on the role of play in early literacy acquisition provided considerable information about the types of reading and writing activities that children engage in during play and how this literacy play is affected by variables such as props, peers, and adults. However, they did not deal extensively, as this book does, with the functional significance of play in the literacy development of individual children. This volume pushes the study of play and literacy into new areas. It is indispensable reading for researchers and graduate students in the fields of early childhood education and early literacy development.
Play and playfulness for public health and wellbeing
by Alison Tonkin Julia WhitakerThe role of play in human and animal development is well established, and its educational and therapeutic value is widely supported in the literature. This innovative book extends the play debate by assembling and examining the many pieces of the play puzzle from the perspective of public health. It tackles the dual aspects of art and science which inform both play theory and public health policy, and advocates for a ‘playful’ pursuit of public health, through the integration of evidence from parallel scientific and creative endeavors. Drawing on international research evidence, the book addresses some of the major public health concerns of the 21st century – obesity, inactivity, loneliness and mental health – advocating for creative solutions to social disparities in health and wellbeing. From attachment at the start of life to detachment at life’s ending, in the home and in the workplace, and across virtual and physical environments, play is presented as vital to the creation of a new ‘culture of health’. This book represents a valuable resource for students, academics, practitioners and policy-makers across a range of fields of interest including play, health, the creative arts and digital and environmental design.
Play and Practice in the Early Years Foundation Stage
by Ms Natalie CanningPlay is an underlying theme of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) but it is often a challenge for practitioners to provide a play based curriculum. This book investigates the values and beliefs that underpin play and demonstrates through case studies how play opportunities can be observed, planned and assessed in a meaningful context for the child. Organized into four sections that mirror the EYFS, this book takes you through the curriculum framework demonstrating how play underpins each of these principles and is the common thread that links them together. Chapters include: - celebrating children's play choices - ways to work with parents - inspiring environments for inspirational play - the role of play in supporting key relationships - creative play for flexible learning Incorporating the voices of Early Years practitioners, this book takes the unique approach of analysing the academic theory, showing how this can be put into practice and then suggesting activities to facilitate reflective practice and professional development. Useful to all those studying on any Early Years course, the book is particularly relevant to those leading practice in early years settings and those working towards Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).
Play and STEM Education in the Early Years: International Policies and Practices
by Sue Dale Tunnicliffe Teresa J. KennedyThis edited book provides an overview of unstructured and structured play scenarios crucial to developing young children’s awareness, interest, and ability to learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in informal and formal education environments. The key elements for developing future STEM capital, enabling children to use their intuitive critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and promoting active citizenship and a scientifically literate workforce, begins in the early years as children learn through play, employing trial and error, and often investigating on their own.Forty-seven STEM experts come together from 16 countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Russia, Sweden, and the USA) and describe educational policies and experiences related to young learners 3–4 years of age, as well as students attending formal-nursery school, early primary school, and the early years classes post 5 years of age.The book is intended for parents seeking to provide STEM activities for their children at home and in playgroups, citizen scientists seeking guidance to provide children with quality educational activities, daycare practitioners providing educational structures for young children from birth to formal education, primary school teachers and preservice teachers seeking to teach preschool, kindergarten or children typically aged 5–8 years old in grades 1–3, as well as researchers and policy makers working in science didactics with small children.
Play at the Center of the Curriculum
by Judith Van Hoorn Patricia Monighan Nourot Barbara Scales Keith Rodriguez AlwardThe leading text in the field, Play at the Center of the Curriculum seamlessly combines the features of a text on play and development with the features of an early childhood curriculum text to present a comprehensive, cogent rationale for placing play at the center of a balanced curriculum. Ideal for those who want to engage children in a developmental zone where children and teachers are learning from and with each other, the authors put play at the center of a balanced curriculum that includes spontaneous, guided, and directed play as well as teacher planned instruction. They describe how knowledgeable teachers use a wide repertoire of strategies to orchestrate the flow from spontaneous play to guided play, to more subject oriented instruction, and back to play. This thoroughly updated Sixth Edition interweaves anecdotes of children’s play, theories of play and development, empirical evidence from research, and practical instructional strategies to give students a clear look at play and the curriculum.
Play at the Center of the Curriculum
by Judith Van Hoorn Patricia Monighan Nourot Barbara Scales Keith Rodriquez AlwardThis book for future early childhood educators offers all of the background needed to plan and implement a developmentally appropriate, play-centered curriculum for children ages 3 to 8.
Play Ball, Pikachu! (Pokémon: Scholastic Reader, Level 2)
by Sonia SanderKids can practice their reading skills with Pokémon in this fun Level 2 Reader!Join Ash and Pikachu on an adventure in Alola!The kids from Pokémon School can't wait to play Pokémon Base with the famous sports star Oluolu and his partner, Snorlax. But when Team Rocket tries to get on the game, the play turns foul! Can Ash and his Pokémon help Snorlax save the game... and the day?This Level 2 Reader is based on the hit animated series, with full-color illustrations throughout!
Play-based Learning in the Primary School
by Alice Hansen Mary BriggsPlay is an essential part of learning and development for children and is an increasingly important aspect of creative approaches to teaching and learning in primary education. This book demonstrates the value of play in all its different forms as a highly effective medium for teaching and learning across the curriculum. The authors explore how play can be used to increase engagement, motivation and fun in learning situations, examining the theoretical principles of play for learning, types of play for older children, planned and facilitating play-based learning, using thematic approaches when working with individuals, groups and whole classes, in addition to covering important teaching issues such as assessment, inclusion and transition out of primary education. This is recommended reading for students on primary initial teacher education courses including undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS), postgraduate (PGCE, SCITT), and employment-based routes into teaching, and also for practicing teachers wishing to enhance their own teaching. Mary Briggs is Mathematics and Education tutor at the University of Warwick. Alice Hansen is an educational consultant who works within a number of educational settings and national bodies developing continuing professional development for teachers.
Play Better Games: Enabling Children with Autism to Join in with Everyday Games
by Carmel ConnOrdinary games are an important vehicle for children's learning. They provide a powerful, naturally occurring learning environment that is physical, playful and fun. Playing games requires interpersonal skills in language, thought, social behavior, creativity, self-regulation and skilful use of the body. When children play games together they develop the following key capacities:•Cooperative behavior•Focused attention•Social understanding•Holding information in mind•Motor, spatial and sequential planning•Self-regulation, e.g impulse control, coping with excitement, controlled exertion•Collaborative behavior and negotiation•Self-expression and creativity.Games provide a social experience that is emotionally compelling, where children laugh and have fun and do not realise they are interacting, problem solving, negotiating and cooperating with each other.Play Better Games is designed to help practitioners and parents to think about what might prohibit their children from joining in with games and plan effective strategies for support. It will be of benefit to teachers, therapists, group works, play workers, midday supervisors and support workers, as well as to parents and siblings of children with autism.
Play-by-Play: Radio, Television, and Big-Time College Sport
by Ronald A. SmithNoted sports historian writes on the relationship of the media to college athletics.Chosen as an Outstanding Academic Title for 2003 by Choice MagazineThe phenomenal popularity of college athletics owes as much to media coverage of games as it does to drum-beating alumni and frantic undergraduates. Play-by-play broadcasts of big college games began in the 1920s via radio, a medium that left much to the listener's imagination and stoked interest in college football. After World War II, the rise of television brought with it network-NCAA deals that reeked of money and fostered bitter jealousies between have and have-not institutions. In Play-by-Play: Radio, Television, and Big-Time College Sport noted author and sports insider Ronald A. Smith examines the troubled relationship between higher education and the broadcasting industry, the effects of TV revenue on college athletics (notably football), and the odds of achieving meaningful reform.Beginning with the early days of radio, Smith describes the first bowl game broadcasts, the media image of Notre Dame and coach Knute Rockne, and the threat broadcasting seemed to pose to college football attendance. He explores the beginnings of television, the growth of networks, the NCAA decision to control football telecasts, the place of advertising, the role of TV announcers, and the threat of NCAA "Robin Hoods" and the College Football Association to NCAA television control. Taking readers behind the scenes, he explains the culture of the college athletic department and reveals the many ways in which broadcasting dollars make friends in the right places. Play-by-Play is an eye-opening look at the political infighting invariably produced by the deadly combination of university administrators, athletic czars, and huge revenue.
Play, Creativity and Digital Cultures (Routledge Research in Education)
by Muriel Robinson Jackie Marsh Rebekah WillettRecent work on children's digital cultures has identified a range of literacies emerging through children's engagement with new media technologies. This edited collection focuses on children's digital cultures, specifically examining the role of play and creativity in learning with these new technologies. The chapters in this book were contributed by an international range of respected researchers, who seek to extend our understandings of children's interactions with new media, both within and outside of school. They address and provide evidence for continuing debates around the following questions: What notions of creativity are useful in our fields? How does an understanding of play inform analysis of children's engagement with digital cultures? How might school practice take account of out-of-school learning in relation to digital cultures? How can we understand children's engagements with digital technologies in commercialized spaces? Offering current research, theoretical debate and empirical studies, this intriguing text will challenge the thinking of scholars and teachers alike as it explores the evolving nature of play within the media landscape of the twenty-first century.
The Play Cycle: Theory, Research and Application (Advances in Playwork Research)
by Pete King Gordon SturrockTwenty years after Gordon Sturrock and the late Professor Perry Else’s 'Colorado Paper' introduced the Play Cycle, this theory of play now supports professional playwork practice, training and education. The Play Cycle: Theory, Research and Application is the first book of its kind to explain the theoretical concept of the Play Cycle, supported by recent research, and how it can be used as an observational method for anyone who works with children in a play context. The book investigates the understandings of the Play Cycle within the playwork field over the last 20 years, and its future application. It addresses each aspect of the Play Cycle (metalude, play cue, play return, play frame, loop and flow and annihilation) and combines the theoretical aspect of the Play Cycle with empirical research evidence. The book also provides an observational tool for people to observe and record play cycles. This book will appeal to playworkers, teachers, play therapists and professionals working in other contexts with children, such as hospitals and prisons. It will support practitioners and students in learning about play and provide lecturers and trainers with a new innovative teaching and training aide.
Play, Exploration and Learning: A Natural History of the Pre-school (Routledge Library Editions: Early Years)
by S. John Hutt Stephen Tyler Corinne Hutt Helen ChristophersonOriginally published in 1989, Play, Exploration and Learning was a valuable contribution to the evaluation of nursery practice in Britain at the time, this ‘natural history’ of the activities of children and caring adults presents a comparative study of four types of provision for the under-fives: nursery schools, nursery classes, playgroups and day nurseries. All four types of provision are seen as happy, busy, caring environments, but they vary greatly in terms of staffing levels, training and material provision. The authors look at the ‘play’ of three- to five-year-old children and the activities of the adults who care for them. They examine in detail children’s choices of materials and their use of them, with special attention given to the way language is used by both children and adults during play. They also describe adults’ expectations of the various provisions and the values of the activities pursued in them. Of special interest is the emphasis placed by adults upon fantasy play, and the often large discrepancy between expectation and practice. Also covered are the difference in the play activities of part-time and full-time nursery school children, and the transition from pre-school to first school. The book will still be of historical interest to pre-school practitioners, to developmental psychologists and to educational administrators.
Play for Children with Special Needs: Supporting children with learning differences, 3-9
by Christine MacintyreThere are many more children with learning differences and difficulties in our schools today. Their needs are varied and complex and professionals must find appropriate ways to enhance their learning. The value of play is endorsed in policy initiatives including The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, so professionals can be reassured that ‘more time to play’ is in line with the latest thinking. Christine Macintyre emphasises the importance of creating an environment where children become confident, independent learners, increasingly able to use their imaginations, care for others and to take safe risks. This fully revised edition of Play for Children with Special Needs includes new research findings and explains their implications for practice. This book then enables those supporting children to: understand the benefits of play and how to adapt different scenarios to support children who do not find it easy to play observe children as they play so that any difficulties can be identified early analyse different play areas so that the different kinds of learning (intellectual, creative, motor, social and emotional) are appreciated. Play for Children with Special Needs, 2nd edition enables practitioners to appreciate the contribution that play makes to the education of all children, whether they have special needs or not. It is for parents, teachers, teaching assistants and nursery professionals as well as those who care for children at home.
Play for Health Across the Lifespan: Stories from the Seven Ages of Play
by Julia Whitaker Alison TonkinPlay for Health Across the Lifespan uses case studies to explore the impact of play and creativity on health and wellbeing throughout the lifecycle. While play at the start of life influences future development, the authors show play also has a role in improving prospects for health and wellbeing in adulthood and later life. A relational approach to health and wellbeing emphasizes the dynamic, mutually influential relationship between individual development and the changing contexts of our lives. Our personal play history is one feature of this dynamic process, and this book explores how the experience of play throughout the life course sculpts and resculpts the shape of our lives: our physical health, our mental wellbeing, and our relationship to the people and the world around us. Storytelling has been used since the beginning of time to communicate important life lessons in an engaging way. Taking inspiration from Shakespeare’s ‘Seven Ages of Man’, the book uses a case-story approach to differentiate the stages of development and to present evidence for how play and playful experiences impact on health and wellbeing from birth to the end of life in the context of temporal and situational change. Each chapter in Play for Health Across the Lifespan introduces relevant evidence-based research on play and health, before presenting several narrative ‘case stories’, which illustrate the application of play theory and the neuroscience of play as they relate to each life stage. With contributions from specialists in health and education, community organizations and the creative and performing arts, this book will appeal to academics, students, and practitioners who are interested in exploring the role of play in addressing contemporary challenges to our physical, mental, and social health.
Play For Something: Inspiration, Strategies, and Know-How for College Athletes to Succeed in the Classroom and Beyond
by Malte KramerPlay For Something provides student athletes with the inspiration, strategies, and know-how to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Written by a Division 1 basketball player who graduated as the valedictorian of his class with a 4.0 GPA, this book covers everything from study strategies to productivity theory, from memory mastery to effective writing strategies, and from homesickness to networking. <P><P>The book contains insightful stories from some of the world's leading athletes and business experts, including Olympians, Academic All-Americans, and prominent business leaders. A must-read for student athletes, the first part of the book deals with the motivation and inspiration student athletes often miss when it comes to academics and a career beyond athletics. It helps student athletes identify their passion and learn from the success stories of others. <P>The second part of the book is devoted to the systems and knowledge that allow students to excel, including character building, life balance, networking, support system, and personal branding. The third part of the book provides the practical tips and tricks the author used to maintain a 4.0 GPA through four years of college, offering exceptional techniques to help improve memory, speed-reading, college writing, research, and citation skills.
Play The Forest School Way: Woodland Games and Crafts for Adventurous Kids
by Jane Worroll Peter HoughtonThe ultimate guide to woodland fun with kids! Forest School is founded on a philosophy of nature-based play and learning that encourages children to develop confidence and self-esteem. This book will get your kids outside, making and building in the real world (instead of on a computer screen!). Whether your local woodland is a forest or a strip of trees along the edge of an urban park, these activities provide fantastic opportunities for family time and will encourage your children to fall in love with outdoor play. This is the first book to share Forest School games, crafts and skill-building activities with families and friends, its magical illustrations and simple instructions drawing children easily into a world of wonder. * Be a fox tracking its prey, a moth evading a bat, a rabbit fleeing a forest fire! * Make a working bow and arrow, spectacular headdresses, beautiful woodland jewellery, magic wands - all with materials gathered from the forest floor. * Learn wilderness survival skills: build a shelter, make fire, forage and cook wild food.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Play from Birth to Twelve: Contexts, Perspectives, and Meanings
by Doris Pronin Fromberg and Doris BergenIn light of recent standards-based and testing movements, the issue of play in child development has taken on increased meaning for educational professionals and social scientists. This third edition of Play From Birth to Twelve offers comprehensive coverage of what we now know about play and its guiding principles, dynamics, and importance in early learning. These up-to-date essays, written by some of the most distinguished experts in the field, help educators, psychologists, anthropologists, parents, health service personnel, and students explore a variety of theoretical and practical ideas, such as: all aspects of play, including historical and diverse perspectives as well as new approaches not yet covered in the literature how teachers in various classroom situations set up and guide play to facilitate learning how play is affected by societal violence, media reportage, technological innovations, and other contemporary issues play and imagination within the current scope of educational policies, childrearing methods, educational variations, cultural differences, and intellectual diversity New chapters in the third edition of Play From Birth to Twelve cover current and projected future developments in the field of play, such as executive function, neuroscience, autism, play in museums, "small world" play, global issues, media, and technology. The book also suggests ways to support children’s play across different environments at home, in communities, and within various institutional settings.
Play from Birth to Twelve: Contexts, Perspectives, and Meanings
by Doris Pronin FrombergFirst published in 1998. Play is pervasive, infusing human activity throughout the life span. In particular, it serves to characterize childhood, the period from birth to age twelve. Within the past twenty years, many additions to the knowledge base on childhood play have been published in popular and scholarly literature. This book assembles and integrates this information, discusses disparate and diverse components, highlights the underlying dynamic processes of play, and provides a forum from which new questions may emerge and new methods of inquiry may develop. The place of new technologies and the future of play in the context of contemporary society also are discussed.
Play in Clinical Practice
by Sandra Russ Larissa NiecGoing beyond traditional play therapy, this innovative book presents a range of evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches that incorporate play as a key element. It is grounded in the latest knowledge about the importance of play in child development. Leading experts describe effective strategies for addressing a wide variety of clinical concerns, including behavioral difficulties, anxiety, parent child relationship issues, trauma, and autism. The empirical support for each approach is summarized and clinical techniques are illustrated. The book also discusses school-based prevention programs that utilize play to support children's learning and social-emotional functioning.
Play in Early Childhood: From Birth to Six Years
by Mary Sheridan Dawn Alderson Justine HowardBased 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.
Play in the Early Years
by Marilyn FleerThe Early Years Learning Framework is a key component of the Australian Government's National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care. Play-based learning is an important focus in both the Framework and in early childhood education degrees at Australian universities. Play in the Early Years is a comprehensive study of pedagogy and play in early childhood education by a globally recognised leader in the field. Marilyn Fleer examines how play has been thought about across time, culture and institutions, including in childcare, family day care, schools and community groups. The book presents and analyses the latest research and theories about early childhood pedagogy and play. Vignettes and real-world examples help students connect theory to practice, while end-of-chapter glossaries help to consolidate understanding of key concepts and ideas. This is an accessible and engaging textbook that will be an invaluable resource for practitioners and undergraduate students of early childhood education.
Play in the Early Years
by Marilyn FleerPlay is crucial to the learning and development of children in the early years. The third edition of Play in the Early Years is a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of play for children from birth to 8 years old. Drawing on classical and contemporary theories, this text examines social, cultural and institutional approaches to play, and explores a range of strategies for successfully integrating play into early years settings and primary classrooms. This edition features a new chapter on conceptual playworlds, which demonstrates what conceptual playworlds look like to infants and toddlers, pre-schoolers, and children transitioning into school. The text features classroom vignettes and photographs designed to help students connect theory to practice, and reflection questions and research activities encourage in-depth reflection and extend learning. Highly regarded by early childhood researchers and practitioners alike, Play in the Early Years remains an essential resource for pre-service students.