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Making a play-based curriculum work in early years settings. Early Years practitioners have been advocating for play to be at the heart of early years for many years. Now is the time to make this a reality. Using in the moment planning, child initiated play and other strategies, this book supports early years practitioners to enable the children in their setting to choose what they do and how they want to learn. Dawn Rigby shares her passion for a play-based curriculum, her own setting′s journey, what worked and the challenges faced along the way. This practical book: shares examples of good practice; gives advice on how to make play the central focus of early years practice; explores why a play-based curriculum matters; includes practical support on developmentally appropriate practice.
Play in the Early Years provides an accessible overview of key concepts, debates and approaches to children’s Play. This book: · Considers play from a variety of perspectives · Offers expert insights into theory and research in each area · Encourages the reader to critically reflect on both theory and practice With features including key terms, case studies, reflective questions, spotlights on research and an accompanying glossary, this text is perfect for everyone who is interested in Play - from those just starting undergraduate degrees through to those with more advanced knowledge or experience.
Providing 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.
This accessible and practical book provides teachers with a tool-kit for observing and assessing children's play developed by the author after a decade of working in early years classrooms.
In The Ultimate Guide to Mark Making in the Early Years, internationally renowned teacher trainer Sue Cowley takes practitioners on a journey: the journey young children embark upon when they learn their first words and make their first marks. Filled with practical activities and honest advice, this must-have guide presents a wide range of creative approaches to developing mark making and building language skills in the Early Years. With ideas to build finger strength and eye-to-hand coordination, activities for understanding the concept of symbols and signs and strategies for building confidence in reading and writing including talk and drama, you'll find a variety of techniques to develop children's key skills and motivation. Sue also includes full-colour photographs and examples of early marks to illustrate how young children's communication skills develop. There are tips for getting boys engaged in writing and a companion website with downloadable resources and useful links. The Ultimate Guide to Mark Making in the Early Years is an invaluable source of inspiration for all those working with children aged three to seven.
Play 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).
Written for the wide range of practitioners working with young children, this book gives guidance on both the theory and the practical management of drama in the Early Years. The relationship between 'pretend play' and the cognitive and affective development of young children is emphasised, having much to inform us about the children in our care. Major themes are children's need to experience quality talk and their engagement in narrative through story-making. The authors have a wide range of experience in Early Years teaching and in teacher training. Through their work, they are aware of the importance of drama for the development of the young child. Parents and practitioners are encouraged to explore drama activities and examples are given of fantasy play taken from pre-school, nursery and infant settings. All those involved with Early Years can discover that engaging children in dramatic activity is both a natural form of behaviour and a powerful learning medium.
Outdoor play is a significant and essential aspect of a young child's development and enjoys a renewed emphasis in early years practice, in keeping with the core principles embedded within the early years tradition. However, this emphasis may sit uneasily alongside a requirement to focus on the development of literacy and numeracy skills and supporting outdoor play can raise a number of thorny issues such as freedom, safety and risk. This book challenges the reader to consider: Why outdoor play is seen to be of significance within early childhood Whether this view is justified (what are the benefits of outdoor play?) The implications for practitioners who may be facing conflicting pressures in their work with young children In particular, the writers skilfully blend theory, research and practical guidance to address three important issues: What constitutes 'good' outdoor provision for young children and babies? How do we respect and respond to the young child in outdoor provision? How do we support risky play within the bounds of a statutory curriculum or regulatory regime? Incorporating chapters from internationally renowned authors working in this field, this book is recommended both for practitioners involved in early years education and care and for students at foundation, degree and post-graduate levels. "This is a thought provoking book that draws on research to encourage the reader to reflect on the essence of outdoor play in early childhood. Recognising that within our society assumptions are made about outdoors and about childhood, this book challenges the reader to reflect on outdoor provision from a number of perspectives. The outdoor environment matters to young children. This book not only makes the case for outdoor play, it considers what that actually looks like in the UK and internationally, and asks us to reflect on the implications for our own working practices. Maynard and Waters set out to provoke critical reflection and inspire practitioners; they have certainly achieved their aim and this book is a welcome addition to the debate about outdoors in the early years." Gail Ryder Richardson, Early Years Consultant and Trainer, Outdoor Matters! Contributors: Valerie Huggins, Sara Knight, Helen Little, Trisha Maynard, Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter, Alison Stephenson, Helen Tovey, Sue Waite, Jane Waters, Jan White, Karen Wickett, Helen Woolley and Shirley Wyver.
People Under Three translates child development theory and research into everyday practice. Focusing on the childcare of very young children, it is designed specifically for those who look after them day by day, as well as being a useful resource for social work and playwork students and policy makers. All the practical ideas in the book have been developed and tested in nurseries and family centres. They include detailed guidance on educational play for babies and toddlers and how to care for children's emotional needs. The book also explores the difficult area of child protection and working with parents and children with a variety of problems. People Under Three is an established text for all those training to work with young children or managing day care facilities. This new edition has been completely updated to take account of the key policy and practice changes which have taken place in child care provision since the book's second edition.
