How do these theories of development influence current practice? Piaget - Adults should provide a play based curriculum and a stimulating environment through which children can construct their own knowledge and understanding. The adult should not intervene unnecessarily in children’s play as play should be child-led. * This theory influences current practice because we provide a play based curriculum which is the Early Years Foundation Stage. This covers: communication & language, physical development, and personal, social and environmental development.
Education Professionals view on creative learning is broadly understood to be characterised by * Questioning and challenging * Making connections and seeing relationships * Envisaging what may happen * Exploring ideas and keeping options open * Critically reflecting on ideas, actions and outcomes Creativity is about helping children to explore different ways to express themselves through a range of arts and crafts such as drawing, painting, sticking, making things, chalking, music and creative movement, dance and role play. Creativity consists of traditional creative arts and developing the imagination and imaginative play through various activities such as role play and small world play. Creativity involves exploring emotions and expressions thus the focus of creativity in this term is only partially about creating an end product and
The meaning of a child-centred approach is to guarantee that the child is put first before anyone else. Every single person who works with children, whether a nurse, teacher or a volunteer has a huge responsibility to look after and make sure that each child they come into contact with is safe. A child centred approach is basically where every child can communicate and connect with people and also have a choice without someone interfering. A child centred approach is also beneficial for them to learn the correct skills they need to learn. The main great thing about this is that it doesn’t just benefit one child; it benefits any child anywhere because they are all different and will all respond differently to certain approaches.
Children also have the amazing ability to be able to use their imagination and create their own stories to improve their own vocabulary by themselves or with friends and via play it allows them to begin the basic key steps into using literacy. Without play and leisure none of the above would be remotely possible. There are 7 areas of learning which are delivered through practical activities and active learning experiences both indoors and outdoors which promote the importance or play and leisure. These are Personal and Social Development, Well-being and Cultural Diversity. Language, Literacy
However, Donald Winnicott and Kendall Walton believe that play is a theory which applies itself to many different areas of life, beginning in the infant years and progressing through adolescence into adult hood. The philosopher Walton focuses on the concept of imagining and ‘the game world.’ To Walton the game world consists of any time you enter into a game or a world of make believe. His focus is primarily on children and infants and the way they explore and make sense of the world through the medium of play. ‘Play in children is a way of understanding and exploring the world.’ (Walton, K. 1990). He believes that if we want to understand art and performance we should look to children for guidance.
“To capture and build on children’s natural enthusiasms, adults put themselves in children’s hands as often as possible. They follow children directions; willingly assume the pretend roles assigned to them by children and play games according to the child’s rules.” In this paper I will compare and contrast the key elements of the Reggio Emilia program and High/ Scope. I will begin the elements by describing the ways that the Reggio Emilia program focuses on developmentally appropriate practices such as cognitive, language, social emotional, and physical development. I will compare these to the High/ Scope program and the way that it supports developmentally appropriate practices such as cognitive, language, social emotional and physical development. In conclusion, I will evaluate the impact each program has on the family and community.
C8- Analyse the importance of play in children’s learning, giving reasons why play should be included in planning. It is important to include play in a child’s learning and experience, this is because it enables them to explore and learn new things independently and through a way in which they understand. From play they are able to express their feelings and thoughts on the subject through interpreting the situation, events, or experience they’ve seen. It’s a good way of allowing children their own space to make choices of what, when, and who they play with, giving them many opportunities to build on relationships which is a good aspect in enhancing their communication skills and ability to work with others and co-operate efficiently. Play is a ‘’free flow’’ experience which enables a child to progress at their own pace.
The most important role that play can have is to help children to be active, make choices and practice actions to mastery. They should have experience with a wide variety of content (art, music, language, science, math, social relations) because each is important for the development of a complex and integrated brain. Play that links sensori-motor, cognitive, and social-emotional experiences provides an ideal setting from brain development. According to Montessori, the essential dimensions of play are: Voluntary, enjoyable, purposeful and spontaneous Creativity expanded using problem solving skills, social skills, language skills and physical skills Helps expand on new ideas Helps the child to adapt socially Helps to thwart emotional problems If play is the work of the child, toys are the tools. Through toys, children learn about their world, themselves, and others.
This paper will discuss an example of how a child can learn through play in each of these areas of development. Learning through Play An age appropriate, content-rich environment that allows children to explore and play creates energy and enthusiasm that historically, has put a drive to development that is inseparable (Van Hoorn, Nourot, Scales, Alward, 2011). When teachers are engaged in children’s play it helps to enhance their learning through all the areas of development. Cognitive skills are developed through children interacting with people and materials in their environment. As they explore in hands on activities they are learning about patterns, relationships, problem solving and processing of information necessary to help them succeed in school.
When we take care of children, we are also helping the human species find the truth and understand the world. (Gopnik et al. 1999: 211) This chapter begins by looking at what elements need to be in place to ensure that children develop to their full potential and have opportunities to explore and extend all their capacities and capabilities. It will further explore the generalized impact on children’s development of social breakdown because of war and conflict – looking in detail at the developmental processes of early childhood, and noting what happens when that progress is interrupted. The major theories of play will be outlined, with the emphasis here on play not only as a necessary feature of childhood and essential component of development, but also as a means to regain ‘lost childhoods’.