P1. Discuss How Play Supports Children’s Learning

According to Tassoni et al, play is considered to be “one of the primary needs of the child and is often said to be a child’s work”. (Tassoni, et al, 2005, p.3) Through play, children discover themselves and make sense of the people and the world around them and they also learn, develop and practice skills they will use throughout their lives. Play is a very essential and important part in a child’s life, as it helps them develop physically, emotionally and mentally. The social benefits of play are when children learn how to share, to take turns, to listen, to cooperate with each other or to build relationships. For example, sharing a puzzle or playing at the sand and water table. Children could also benefit from play emotionally. For example, when painting or drawing, children can express their own feelings. Displaying their work will help children increase their self- esteem, gain self-confidence and a sense of achievement. Also, messy play ( e.g. clay, dough, mud) will help children to release tension and get rid of their feelings of anger or frustration, reduce stress through squeezing, smashing and rolling. Another benefit of play is the cognitive one. Children can learn through play about materials, textures, shapes, colours, smells, patterns and can gain an understanding of the surrounding world (heuristic play for e.g.). They can also learn mathematical and scientific concepts, such as counting, weighing, measuring, volume, expansion and contraction, fractions, sequencing, density, temperature. A good activity to learn all these might be cooking, for example. Children might also build upon their language and communication skills through play. For example, pretend play stimulates the use of new vocabulary by imitating adults’ conversations and recreating roles and experiences, as well as promoting communication in a natural way. Or, for e.g. songs and rhymes help children to notice the sounds and speech patterns in the language and learn about intonation and expression. The physical benefits of play include fine and gross motor skills, balance and co-ordination. Two activities that might encourage that are collage making, which improves fine manipulative skills and hand-eye coordination through cutting, sticking and handling small objects. Another activity would be the outdoor play (e.g. ride-ons, tunnels, trampolines), which develops gross motor skills, such as climbing, running, hopping, steering or pedalling, as well as balance, co-ordination and spatial awareness.

Bibliography:
• Stacey, M. (2009), Teamwork and Collaboration in Early Years Settings, Exeter, Learning Matters Ltd.
• Beckley, P. et al (2009), Implementing the Early Years, Berkshire, Open University Press
• Kamen, T.(2007), Children’s Care, Learning and Development, Hodder Arnold, London
• MacLeod-Brudenell, I.(2004), Advanced Early Years Care and Eduaction, Heinemann Educational Publishers, Oxford
• Farrow, T. et al (2006), Playwork- Candidate Handbook, 2nd edition, Heinemann Educational Publishers, Oxford
• Brock, A. et al (2009), Perspectives on Play – Learning for Life, Pearson Education Limited, Essex
• Lindon, J. (2001), Understanding Children’s Play, Nelson Thornes Ltd, Cheltenham
• Hobart, C. et al, (2002), A Practical Guide to Child-care and Eduaction Placements, Nelson Thornes Ltd, Cheltenham
• Tassoni, P. (2007), Child Care and Education, 4th edition, Pearson Education Limited, Essex

Bibliography: • Stacey, M. (2009), Teamwork and Collaboration in Early Years Settings, Exeter, Learning Matters Ltd. • Beckley, P. et al (2009), Implementing the Early Years, Berkshire, Open University Press • Kamen, T.(2007), Children’s Care, Learning and Development, Hodder Arnold, London • MacLeod-Brudenell, I.(2004), Advanced Early Years Care and Eduaction, Heinemann Educational Publishers, Oxford • Farrow, T. et al (2006), Playwork- Candidate Handbook, 2nd edition, Heinemann Educational Publishers, Oxford • Brock, A. et al (2009), Perspectives on Play – Learning for Life, Pearson Education Limited, Essex • Lindon, J. (2001), Understanding Children’s Play, Nelson Thornes Ltd, Cheltenham • Hobart, C. et al, (2002), A Practical Guide to Child-care and Eduaction Placements, Nelson Thornes Ltd, Cheltenham • Tassoni, P. (2007), Child Care and Education, 4th edition, Pearson Education Limited, Essex