Play-based learning in the early years environment - Claire Medwell - Webinar slides

Play-based learning in the Cambridge Early Years classroom Practical tips and teaching advice Claire Medwell Author, teacher trainer, teacher 15th November 2023

Contents • Why play?

• Child-initiated play ideas • Guided play ideas • How to implement play-based learning effectively

Why play?

The Power of Play The impulse to play comes from a natural desire to understand the world.

Source: NAEYC

Almost all creativity involves purposeful play.

Source: Abraham Maslow

Play is the highest form of research.

Source: Albert Einstein

Play matters!

Types of games  Games with rules  Play with objects  Pretend play  Symbolic play  Physical play  POLL

Misconceptions about play 'Play’ at home

‘Learn’ at school

Home-school connections Nurture home-school connections Support parents and tutors, offer guidance on how to implement playbased learning at home Help parents to understand the value of play in their child’s development Engage families by inviting members to lead an activity such as a song, dance or craft. Celebrate home languages

Benefits of play-based learning • Develops social and emotional skills as they learn to share and interact with classmates • Develops communication, cooperation and problem-solving skills • Develops cognitive skills: • Improves overall language and literacy development e.g. mark-making, labelling, making lists, commenting on pictures in story books • Improves literacy skills as they learn to communicate and listen more effectively • Improves word association and how they can be used in different scenarios • Cultivates critical thinking skills e.g. playing with geometric shapes helps children learn basic concepts of size, numbers and sequences • Develops both gross and fine motor skills

What is child-initiated play?

Child-initiated play is defined as play that is started, “led and controlled by the child rather than an adult” (Drew, 2019, para. 2). Encourages creativity and spontaneity Promotes agency Builds on children’s own interests Hands-on learning Develops ability to think ‘outside the box’ process-orientated as opposed to outcome-orientated

Free play ideas Symbolic games

Role playing

Nature table

Free play ideas Transient art

Continuous provision areas • Continuous provision means the resources and areas in your learning environment (inside and outside) that children can choose from freely.

• These areas should:

• provide a range of opportunities for free and guided play • provide opportunities which work towards language learning objectives • be accessible throughout the year.

Insert CUP photo of continuous provision áreas in the EYs classroom

Construction/small world play area

Continuous provision areas Home area

Library/reading area Role play area Outside resources

What is guided play?

Guided play refers broadly to playful activities which have an element of teacher support  Teachers should have a clear learning objective when setting up the activity  Children should still have a degree of choice and agency over their play  Guided play can help extend learning beyond what children may otherwise have achieved  It offers more opportunities for active participation and self-reflection.

How to implement play-based learning 'I’m not sure how to deliver learning through play’ Create a safe and supported environment Provide rich literacy and creative resources e.g. marking boards, crayons, paper, materials, everyday objects, Make available a range of natural materials, such as leaves, twigs and shells Use household and natural objects such as a spoon, rubber band, button, pencil, leaf or stick to explore floating and sinking Use real-life items in themed role-play areas, such as grocery items for supermarket role-play, or pots, seeds and spades in for vegetable garden role-play

The teacher’s role Act as a model, provide linguistic guidance Be flexible in your guidance Provide directions Observe Prompt Ask open questions e.g. Tell me about your picture.

Cambridge Pathway

Professional Development support • If you’re looking for early years professional development, scan the QR code and explore our calendar:

Or visit: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/professionaldevelopment

Further play-based support School support hub

Teaching resources

Thank you!

Learn more about Cambridge Early Years today: www.cambridgeinternational.org/earlyyears

cambridge.org/internationaleducation

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2021