4. Play is learning
In play,
children try out and consolidate
recent learning.
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5. Exploring the world around them.
Figuring things out.
Experimenting with ideas.
Testing hypotheses.
Mastering skills.
When children
play, they are…
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Using their imagination.
Representing their world.
Miss Erika Ramirez - 2019
6. Features of play
(Adapted from Tina Bruce (2015) Early Childhood Education 5th Ed.)
Use first hand
experiences
Keep in control
Rehearse possible
futures
Play with children or
adults
Are deeply
concentrated in
child-led play
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Children…
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7. 7
Is a process. It has
no product
Is intrinsically
motivated and
spontaneous
Has the potential to
take children to a
world of pretend
Can be solitary,
thus, very deep
Makes children into
whole people
Play…
Features of play
(Adapted from Tina Bruce (2015) Early Childhood Education 5th Ed.)
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10. 10
• the adult has planned the activity and is in control, staying
with the child while the activity takes place.
Adult-led activity
• the adult sets up the resources or the activity and guides
the experience.
Adult-initiated
activity or play
• the activity or resources are freely chosen by the child.
The child is in control of the activity. This type of play is
often referred to as open-ended play.
Child-led play
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11. Different types of play
We should allow children to play in the three different types
of activities. Focusing only on one is never the right choice.
Children who are used to following an adult’s lead do not
learn how to think for themselves, to be flexible thinkers with
imagination, creativity and problem solving skills.
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12. Pros and cons
of playing in
the classroom
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13. “What did you do at school today?
– We just played”
“If it’s too much fun, children are not learning”
This belief is still widely popular, in spite of all the evidence that
suggests the opposite. Research shows that children actually learn
through play.
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14. Pros and cons of playing in the classroom
Pros
Play is a social activity, and children are social
learners.
Play makes learning fun and enhances
motivation, which improves children’s
predisposition for the subject.
Having fun activities not only affects children’s
motivation, but also helps us have a better
mood!
Cons
Parents may not understand that games are a
form of learning and may think you are not
actually teaching.
With big groups it is difficult to control games
that require lots of movement, and may even be
dangerous.
Setting up game activities is time consuming
because of how long they take for preparation
and implementing.
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15. Do not let other adults tell
you not to use play
in your classroom.
Research suggests that
play has many benefits
and really helps promoting
learning!
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