1. Learning environment and play
1. Concept of learning environment
Definition:
- Internal and external circumstances that influences and affecting a person’s
learning
- Discovery oriented which encourage students to initiate and complete their own
works (teacher should prepare environment which will enhance students’ to
learn)
- Helps students to acquire knowledge by performing actions
2. Components of learning environment
- Physical – classroom setting
- Psychosocial – humanity elements (cleanliness, safety)
- Technical – teacher’s proficiency
- Social cultural – school cultures, customs, religious beliefs
3. Brofenbrenner’s ecological theory
- Influence of people and environment in which children live in and contact with
- 5 environmental systems
Microsystem (surrounding)
 Interaction between parents, peers, teachers and other adults
in school and the neighbourhood
Mesosystem (interaction)
 Interaction between an individual with a group of people
Exosystem (roles/norm)
 Influenced indirectly by the result of the roles played by the
communities
Macrosystem (cultural influence)
 Genders, ethnicity, custom, values and socioeconomic status
in children’s development
Chronosystem ( era)
 Socio historical conditions and events that influence children’s
development
- Importance of ecological theory
Teacher has to take consideration of the internal and external factors
which will influence the learning process of a child.

2. 4. Children’s learning experience
- 3 basic criteria:
First hand learning experience
Children’s own thinking and learning style, learning interest and
having sufficient time
Action based learning – meaningful learning
- Factors that influence conducive Learning experience
Physical factors – seating arrangement, physical facilities (teaching
aids), notice board
Social factors – age-related, ability, sex, socio economic, cultural
Emotional (different leadership styles: autocratic, democratic, laissez-
faire)– authoritarian (teachers’ responsibility), permissive (freedom
and choice), behaviour(punishments and rewards), interpersonal
(effective communication), scientific (identification the right teaching
skills for the class), social (students are influenced by their peers),
folklore (trick for trade)
5. Theories about play
- Friedrich Wilhelm Froebel: development occurs through plays
- Maria Montessori: materials + plays = absorb knowledge and learn
- John Dewey: children learn through play activities based on their interests
- Jean Piaget: play promotes cognitive knowledge
6. Characteristics of play
- Fun
- More a process than product
- Non literal
- Challenging
- Exits in relaxed setting
- Enjoyable and pleasure
7. Types of play
Cognitive play Social play
Involvement Imagination, creativity, Interpersonal skills,
concept communication,
interaction
Examples Functional or repetitive Onlooker
-infants use their motor play -child does not involve in
to explore what objects are the play but merely watch
like and can be done with anything that is happening
them due to momentary
interest
Symbolic Solitary

3. -use one object to represent -the child plays alone and
another object independently
-do own activity without
reference to what others
are doing
Constructive Parallel
-creating something with -play separately with the
the play object same activity at the same
time & place
Dramatic Associative
-use a play object to -engage to each other
substitute for something -sharing , lending, taking
imaginary turns
Cooperative
-play in an organised
group (football)
8. Role and importance of play in the learning process of children
- Development of children’s potentials in various aspects (physical, intellectual,
emotional, social)
- The roles of plays:
Discharge the energy of the body
Reduce anxiety by giving children a sense of control and an acceptable
way to express forbidden impulse
Facilitate general cognitive development, and strengthen previous
knowledge while allowing new learning to proceed in a relaxed
atmosphere
To reconstruct reality without situational influenced or restraints and
thus indirectly stimulated intellectual development
 Develop social, physical, skills
 Master life situations/ living skills
 Practice language processes
 Develop literacy skills
 Enhance self-esteem
 Prepare for adult life and roles
- Motivates pupils to learn happily and harmoniously
- Develop children’s creativity
- Opportunities for social interaction and foster cooperative spirit
- Practice communicative skills through the development of the language used
- Develop imaginative thinking and adventurous spirite