Thinking about play developing a reflective approach (Open University Press/McGraw-Hill Education, 2010)
Includes bibliographical references and index
pt. 1. Theoretical aspects of play and reflection -- pt. 2. Reflecting on children's playful learning -- pt. 3. Reflecting on playful learning environments -- pt. 4. Reflecting on playful contexts
Play is an entitlement for children and needs to be well understood in all its forms by every early years practitioner. But more than that, practitioners need to explore in considerable depth their own actions, reactions and responses to children's play experiences: for example, what actual learning is taking place in different play episodes. This edited collection aims to support practitioners in really 'thinking about play' not only in terms of their ideologies and philosophies in relation to play but in their pedagogical approaches, i.e. the way learning and teaching occurs and the expectations we can (and cannot) have about children's play in educational contexts. The book is intended to promote practitioners' deep-level thinking on the provision they make for young children's play in classrooms and settings and learning that makes sense to children. This involves analysing and evaluating what makes quality play and learning experiences through considering how current research into play might impact on practice.This book encourages practitioners to explore in depth their own actions, reactions and responses to play experiences. It argues that practitioners need to fully understand the way learning and teaching occurs and the expectations we can (and cannot) have about children's play in educational contexts