Learning through play

Question 1

What is play?

Answer 1

the freedom of movement to amuse oneself pleasantly with a game or exercise

Question 2

What does Froebel say about play?

Answer 2

Play is the highest level of development.

It is a spontaneous expression of thought and feeling.

Question 3

What does Vygotsky say about play?

Answer 3

Play is a means of learning social norms, culture and developing vocabulary.

Question 4

What does Bruner say about play?

Answer 4

We are better able to solve problems with materials if we have played with them.

Question 5

How does play aid children’s development and learning?

Answer 5

• promotes investigation and exploration
• develops problem-solving skills and perseverance
• allows learners to make choices
• means of understanding the adult world and coming to terms with troubling problems

Question 6

Defining characteristics of play

Answer 6

• open-ended
• universal (although differs in cultures and contexts)
• intrinsically motivated
• child-led and controlled
• involves choices
• enjoyable/fun
• often therapeutic

Question 7

Parten’s stages of play

Answer 7

1. Solitary play (infants and toddlers)
2. Parallel play (Toddlers)
3. Cooperative play (5+)

Question 8

Piaget’s stages of play

Answer 8

1. Sensory motor play (infants)
2. Symbolic/fantasy play (1+ yrs)
3. Games with rules (5+)

Question 9

Types of play

Answer 9

• Functional (physical, movement, muscles)
• Constructive (coordinated, constructive)
• Manipulative (fine muscles)
• Fantasy
• Games with rules (group, 5-8+yrs)

Question 10

To provide opportunities for play teachers need to:

Answer 10

• understand the value of play
• show interest in learner’s activities
• organise space and programme to allow for play
• provide age-appropriate indoor and outdoor resources
• ensure their presence during play extends learning without disrupting the activity
• rotate and add new materials that spark interest

Question 11

What is a pedagogy of play?

Answer 11

The way in which teachers make provision for play in teaching and learning, how they design the play environment and the strategies they use to enhance teaching through play.

Question 12

The 4 strands that inform a pedagogy of play:

Answer 12

• conceptualisation of learning & pedagogy
• nature of knowledge
• assessment and evaluation
• quality

Question 13

Play is linked to ___

Answer 13

• problem solving
• language acquisition
• literacy
• mathematics

Question 14

Socio-dramatic play is important for ___

Answer 14

self-regulation (learning to use private speech and internalising new vocabulary)

Question 15

Inquiry needs to incorporate ____

Answer 15

• topics learners find interesting

- real-life scenarios

Question 16

Elements of inquiry

Answer 16

• initial engagement
• exploration
• investigation
• communication