Exploratory Play Essay

Literacy is conventionally used to describe the ability to read, write, listen and speak. This allows us to communicate efficiently and effectively. The term ‘literacy’ has been expanded beyond that simple definition to include the ability to use language as well as; numbers, images and other means to understand and communicate as it is the dominant symbol systems of a culture. Literacy is essential to ensuring children are able to communicate, understand and make sense of their surrounding environments. There a number of insights that teachers are able to gain on the topic of strategies that aim to develop children’s oral language in a Kindergarten to year 2 classroom setting.

Many educations systems place a high importance on developing
During play, children are able to engage in a number of activities containing different materials, objects, people and ideas. Children engage in different types of play throughout their childhood and as they learn and develop, so do their play activities. Types of plays include; constructive play where children are able to use materials to construct and design a range of illustrations. Exploratory play where they are can explore their surrounding environment by investigating, discovery and trying things out. Sensory play draws on children making use of their senses by engaging with and exploring a range of materials both natural and manmade such as water, clay and fabrics. The importance on each of these types of play is vast as it draws on the idea that each child’s experiences are diverse and active. Play can provide valuable context for speaking and listening as in many types of play it is necessary for children to communicate with each other. A stimulus rich environment can smooth the progress of a child’s learning and practicing of oral language skills and promote growth in
This could be through the process of interaction with peers, or adults. Child-directed speech is often used in early childhood settings as a way of fostering their language by social interaction using this concept. “They need access to the language that allows them to ‘express their thinking, clarity their misunderstandings, or question others’ perception’ (Otto, 2014, p. 306). The early years of the primary school setting are the beginning years where there is a much larger emphasis on language lessons in the classrooms where children are given as many opportunities and chances as possible to enhance and develop their literacy