Literature - a foundation course in Childcare and Education

A foundation course in Childcare and Eduction by Alison Mitchell (2008)

This book is one use for students taking part in a foundation course in childcare and education, however there are several chapters regarding play and it's importance for child education. 

"Children learn through play because they are: 

• watching (observing) other children and adult 
• listening to the sounds that they hear
• touching different materials, textures
• tasting
• smelling" 

It breaks educational play into eight important categories and states what the role of the adult should be regarding each activity. 

I have chosen a few of the play techniques to describe below:

1. Physical Play
"Physical play is when a child is moving, jumping, running, throwing a ball etc. Children develop different skills when they take part in physical play." 

What is the adults role?
"Providing equipment and activities that are appropriate for the age of the child and their stage of development.
Praise and encourage the child 
Make sure the children are safe"

2. Imaginative Play 
"Being someone else give a child the chance to separate reality from fantasy. Imaginative play lets the child bring out into the open any anxieties or worries in a safe environment" 

What is the adults role?
"The adult must be very sensitive. The adult must observe the children before joining in the play. They can then take on a character in the play and ask questions or pose problems. This could improve the quality of play." 

3. Constructive Play 

4. Stories and Rhymes
"Books
-are interesting and can give pleasure
-can increase a child's general knowledge and vocabulary 
-can help a child learn more about different cultures and religions
-can help in the development of all aspects of the curriculum 
-can help in the development of language and communication 
-can allow children to experience frightening or new situations within a safe environment 
-can help increase the child's concentration span" 

What is the adults role? 
-make sure that the children are comfortable and can see the book before you begin
-if you know the child's name, mention their name as though they were part of the story
-make eye contact with the child who has lost concentration 

5. Creative Play 
"Creative play allows children to use their imagination" 
"It give children the chance to communicate without having to talk" 

What is the adults role? 
"The role of the adult is to provide different equipment and materials and allow the children to create their own piece of work"  

6. Sand and Water Play 
"It is an important sensory experience and can encourage children to learn new ideas and skills. 
Sand reacts in different ways when it is dry, damp or very wet. Young children need to experience and compare all three textures" 

7. Social Play 
"Children learn when they play together. They find out how to share, take turns and co-operate with each other." 
"Friendships can develop during social play" 

8. Music 

***
As this book was written with the target audience of future teachers, it is very relevant to the point of view from which I am doing my research. 
I found the extra details about "what the adult should be doing" for each creative play technique very helpful in understanding how some of the exercise would work as a teacher designing and carrying out each activity.