Description
Book Synopsis"Thinking about Play... cleverly brings together research-based chapters from experienced Early Years practitioners and academics who provide knowledge the field desperately needs to ensure young children can engage in play - laying their own meaningful foundations for their later education."
Tricia David, Emeritus Professor of Education, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK
"This book provides an excellect collection of chapters which encourages early years practitioners to really get to grips with their own perceptions about, understanding of and beliefs in relation to play in early education settings. In so doing, they will also be well-supported in getting to grips with decisions to change and develop their playful practices for the benefit and pleasure both of children and of themselves. Janet Moyles has brought together a good number of well-respected writers in the field in a highly accessible and informative book.
Professor Pat Broadhead, Lee
Table of Contents
Introduction
PART 1: Theoretical aspects of play and reflection
Practitioner reflection on play and playful pedagogies
Thinking through the challenge of a play-based curriculum. Increasing playfulness via co-construction
The nature of practitioners' reflection on their reflections about play
Play and a constructivist approach to literacy learning. Comparing settings in Norway and England
PART 2: Reflecting on children's playful learning
Reflecting on child-initiated play
Play as an emotional process
Listening to and learning from children's perspectives
Reflecting on children 'playing for real' and 'really playing' in the early years
PART 3: Reflecting on playful learning environments
The pedagogy of play(ful) learning environments
Thinking it through. Rough and tumble play
'This is a different calculator – with computer games on'. Reflecting on children's symbolic play in the digital age
A place for play. Creating complex learning environments
PART 4: Reflecting on playful contexts
Thinking through transition, pedagogy and play from early childhood education to primary
Thinking through the uses of observation and documentation
Afterword
