TEACHING THE CURRICULUM THROUGH PLAY
"For a small child there is no division between playing and learning; between the things he or she does just for fun and the things that are educational. The child learns while living and any part of living that is enjoyable is also play."
(Penelope Leach)
Play Based learning - images available on www.pinterest.com
What is Play Based Learning?
Play-based learning is "a context through which children organise and make sense of their social worlds, as they engage actively with people, objects and representations" (Early Years Learning Framework, DEEWR, 2009, p.6). Play is a natural and spontaneous process - whereby through intentional, purposefully planned play, educators are able to extend learning and maximise the experience and educational opportunities for children.
Why is play so important for children?
·Encourages Language development (communication, vocabulary, articulation)
· Develops Cognitive Capabilities (build connections, develop concepts, questioning, experimentation of ideas, problem solving)
· Social Skills (engaging in play, rules, social conventions, turn taking, sharing, friendship groups)
· Experiment with ideas, roles, practice and consolidate skills
· Promotes Creativity and Imagination
· Gross motor skill development
· Fine motor skills development
· Learn to respect others and respect the environment
· Emotional (self-esteem, self -respect, self-awareness, independence, builds resilience, self regulation, confidence, self motivated
learning, well-being)
Addressing the Curriculum through Play
'How do educators 'teach' and the children 'learn' through play?'
The introduction of the Australian Curriculum (Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2014) provides standard educational outcomes, skills, content and values from Foundation level through to Year 10. This curriculum allows educators the opportunities to meet standards through play. Play-based learning is also heavily embedded and advocated in the Early Years Learning Framework [EYLF] (DEEWR, 2009) that aims to guide the practice and principles of early years teachers.
Play-based learning has long been at the forefront of quality educational pedagogy, principles, planning and practice for teachers in the early years. Early Childhood Educators address the content of the Australian Curriculum and outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework through many different types of play evident in early childhood settings. This website explores hands-on and practical examples of how educators meet the demands of curriculum in the way children learn best... through play.
Bianca O'Malley
Early Childhood Education (EDN522)
Murdoch University, Western Australia
Semester 2, 2015