Play is an important method for learning in early education as it allows children freedom to develop at their own pace through exploration, imagination and role play. Montessori education focuses on giving children freedom of choice to direct their own learning within a prepared environment. Steiner education aims to educate the whole child through movement, art, and delayed formal academics to allow natural development. Forest schools take learning outdoors to help children develop independence, problem-solving skills, and an awareness of their natural surroundings through manageable risk-taking.

1. Contexts of Learning
Play
Montessori Education
Steiner Education
Forest School

2. Play in Education
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Play is used as a method of learning as children learn best when they feel secure
and motivated
Play allows freedom through the childrens ability to make up their own
rules, goals, materials, people and time
develops a child’s confidence and self-belief
learning through play is believed to encourage a child’s cognitive development
play can develop a child’s discovery, reasoning and thought
roles of the teacher or adult during play exercises is to allow children the freedom
of choice, set up suitable environments, and encourage and suggest methods of
play when the child’s play becomes repetitive and lacks progression
There are three main forms of play; sensory, imaginative and exploratory
Imaginative play includes role play; this allows development of their speaking and
listening skills, story-telling and social interaction

3. Role Play
Here is a picture of children taking
part in a role play activity with their
school.
By using play in this way, children
are able to learn about real life
experiences such as weddings
through the use of role play.

4. Montessori Education
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Montessori education is centred on a child’s need for freedom
In a Montessori classroom children have the freedom of movement and choice
In these types of classrooms children must learn responsibility and respect for
other children
Three key elements, these are; the child, the favourable environment and the
teacher
Set up initially by Maria Montessori who attempted to improve the lives of
children
Children of a range of ages work together in order to encourage each other’s
learning
The teacher’s role in a Montessori classroom is to have trust and respect for the
pupils
Independent learning is encouraged by teachers

5. Steiner Education
• Steiner education aims to educate the whole body, this meaning the
‘head, heart and hands’
• Formal education does not begin until a child has grown their adult teeth
• Reading isn’t introduced to pupils until later in their education
• Children begin to learn through movement and gesture, then through
painting and drawing to writing and finally these skills will take them into
reading
• They have a lot of whole school participation which is different from most
schools
• A Steiner school is set up bearing in mind the changing need of the child
as they move from childhood to adolescence

6. Forest School
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The idea of Forest schools came from
Scandinavian countries
They don’t necessarily take place in a
woodland area, one of the purposes of a forest
school is to make children aware of their
natural surroundings
Forest schools are a safe environment and
children are able to find their independence
through taking manageable risks teaching
them to keep themselves safe
Teaches children about vital life skills such as
risk-taking, taking on challenges and how to
assess their skills
Research has also shown that children who
spend more time outdoors have better social
skills, are more attentive, obtain fewer
infections, have fewer conflicts and better
brain function, they also have better language
development, and learn more vital life skills