Play and Learning in the Early Years
From Research to Practice
- Pat Broadhead - Leeds Metropolitan University, UK
- Justine Howard - University of Swansea, UK
- Elizabeth Wood - University of Sheffield, UK
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, Play and Learning in the Early Years 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.
As a new lecturer i have found the reflective tasks and case studies very a very good tool, to really support the students thinking and develop their understanding
The usual high quality layout we expect from Sage, which makes the book easy to read. Theory is woven in to practical examples. This is a very accessible book and should be a useful read for practitioners at any level
A well designed book using case study and practitioner activities to support the theories it discusses. It gives an insight to how adults and educators percieve play and contests these thoughts with evidence and case study. A good theoretical book with sources for further reading and research. A valuable source for foundation degree level.
'Play and Learning in the Early Years' is a welcome roadmap to support early childhood students in forming vital links between their critical understanding and ECEC provision.
A wide range of perspectives has been helpful in developing an holistic understanding of the importance of play. This book will be suitable for all students.
A very good book that I will reccommend to my students. I partically liked the way the book encourages the reader to continuously reflect on practice.
A range of chapters written by experts in their field. Clear aims set out at the start of each chapter that helps students guide their reading.
The text may pose challenging for some students studying at Level 4 and would be most used by students at my college for study at level 5 and 6.
Might pose challenging for some readers at Level 4.
A book that includes a range of issues and concepts around play in early childhood.
This publication has, reflective points, tasks throughout, to facilitate thinking and it aims to encourage independent study. Recommended for early years practitioners, and all those who work with and care for young children,
Recommended as supplemntary reading alongside other books.
Useful resource for the different areas of learning and how these can be benefitted through play.
