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Play and Practice in the Early Years Foundation Stage
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Play and Practice in the Early Years Foundation Stage

Edited by:

Courses:
Play

December 2010 | 200 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Play is an underlying theme of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) but it is often a challenge for practitioners to provide a play based curriculum. This book investigates the values and beliefs that underpin play and demonstrates through case studies how play opportunities can be observed, planned and assessed in a meaningful context for the child.

Organized into four sections that mirror the EYFS, this book takes you through the curriculum framework demonstrating how play underpins each of these principles and is the common thread that links them together.

Chapters include:
  • celebrating children's play choices
  • ways to work with parents
  • inspiring environments for inspirational play
  • the role of play in supporting key relationships
  • creative play for flexible learning
Incorporating the voices of Early Years practitioners, this book takes the unique approach of analysing the academic theory, showing how this can be put into practice and then suggesting activities to facilitate reflective practice and professional development.

Useful to all those studying on any Early Years course, the book is particularly relevant to those leading practice in early years settings and those working towards Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

Natalie Canning
Introduction
 
PART ONE: A UNIQUE CHILD
Natalie Canning
Case Study: Playing with Cardboard Boxes
Natalie Canning
Identifying Unique Qualities in Play
Natalie Canning
Celebrating Children's Play Choices
Mandy Andrews
Including and Enabling All Children as Individuals
 
PART TWO: POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Rosie Walker
Case Study: Play and Family Support in a Children's Centre
Mandy Andrews
The Role of Play in Supporting Positive Relationships
Michael Reed and Rosie Walker
Parental Partnerships
Sue Callan with Carole Ellis and Helen Richards
Making Connections between Home, the Setting and Key Workers
 
PART THREE: ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS
Natalie Canning
Case Study: Using Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
Natalie Canning
Exploring the Possibilities of the Play Environment
Natalie Canning
Play Environments in Practice
Natalie Canning
Inspiring Environments for Inspirational Play
 
PART FOUR: LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Natalie Canning
Case Study: Going to the Moon
Karen Appleby
Playing and Learning: Ways of Being in Action
Natalie Canning
Creative Play for Flexible Learning
Natalie Canning
The Need to Measure Play?
Natalie Canning
Conclusion

An easy to read book that students of a level 3 standard and a foundation degree standard would find useful. It relates theory to practice and the use of a case study to explain relevant areas to link with the EYFS would help the students in their learning. A helpful aid to tutors of these levels with activities aimed at the practitioner that they could use as research for students to develop discussion about specific topics at a later stage.

Mrs Linda Walster
Dept of Childhood Studies, Hull College
June 9, 2011

Very readable and engages the practitioner to reflect in a practical manner

Mr John Bartlett
Childcare, Haslingden Community Link and Children's Centre
May 27, 2011

Although this book is an interesting read, for the expectations of the PGCE course it would need more depth. Therefore it is a useful book to scan to gain an overview and ideas of where else to go for more in-depth exporation of this area

Mrs Sheena Smart
Education, Brighton University
April 5, 2011

An excellent book for student teachers addressing issues around play based learning. Highly recommended as supplementary reading.

Jill Dunn
Initial Teacher Education (post-Prim.), Stranmillis University College
March 22, 2011

An excellent book. Students find it accessible and very practical.

Ms Gill ALBON
Social Science , Bedfordshire University
March 7, 2011

This book is well presented and easy to read; offering the student valuable information in understanding the concept of play and linking theory with practice.

Mrs Kathleen Pullein
Child studies , Goole College
February 23, 2011

This book focuses on a unique child, positive relationships, enabling environments and learning and development in relation to the foundation degree. The textbook is informative and useful for highlighting issues for practice.

Miss Leanne Warwick
Early Years, Health and social care, calderdale College
February 23, 2011

Easily readable and covers key point. Students like this text and find it accessible.

What is missing from this book and most others is a clear description of enhanced, focused and continuous provision. This is not a criticism of the text, it is a general comment that this seems to be a gap in expressed information that students new to early years provision need.

Dr Jane Bulkeley
Education , Glyndwr University
February 22, 2011

The positive approach to play and how children create negotiate worlds provides a valuable resource for those interested in drama primary education

Dr Alastair Daniel
School of Education, London Metropolitan University
January 31, 2011

Will be really helpful for new FdA students to begin to link and apply theory and principles of EYFS to workbased learning. Also easliy accessible for those students returningt to learning after a gap of many years.

Ms Mary Haynes
Education, Sheffield Hallam University
January 24, 2011

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