Foundation Degree

Level 5b

Play and Recreation:

Play Theories

Lecturer: Laura Griffiths

Lesson Aim The aim of today's session is to discuss

your research on play theories and to explore the stages of children’s play.

Lesson Objective By the end of today’s session you should….

Have a definite understanding of what play theories are and how they influence current practice.

Be able to identify the stages of children’s play.

Describe the spiral curriculum.

Play Theories: Background Play is now seen as an essential part in

supporting children’s learning and development.

This can be through a play based curriculum or in clubs such as before/after school.

Different approaches to play will vary across ages and individual needs.

Play Theories: Background Current theories of play are based upon the

work of a number of pioneers.

Many of these pioneers began their research 200 years ago, when children once lived very formal lives.

However the work that they once completed had an enormous influence on current practice.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau1712-1778

French Philosopher – forward thinking

Wrote a book called ‘Emile’ (1762) which advocated that children under 12 explore through play.

He wanted children to discover the world without adult involvement.

He influenced other pioneers – (Froebel and Montessori)

Helped to shape current thinking of a play based curriculum.

Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852)

Froebel carried out pioneering work with young children in Germany.

In 1840 he founded the first Kindergarten for children aged 3-7 years. The children were encouraged to play indoors and outdoors.

Frobel stressed the importance of ‘symbolic play’ – (One thing standing for another)

Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852)

Frobel also stressed the importance of ‘imaginative play’.

He felt that through imaginative play children would learn at their highest level.

Frobel was also well known for block play, encouraging the learning of mathematical concepts.

Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852) Frobel’s Influence on current practice.

There are training centres in England that train practitioners in Froebel's ways of thinking.

Children’s needs are at the centre. Children should discover for themselves. Songs and rhymes are used to teach children. Play to develop learning. The outdoor environment is central to children’s learning.

Theorists such as Tina Bruce and Chris Athey base their research on Frobel’s ideas.

Maria Montessori 1870-1952

Montessori was a doctor.

Her initial research was based on children with specific learning needs.

She then began to work with children from working families, setting up the famous house in San Lorenzo (deprived area in Rome)

Maria Montessori 1870-1952

Montessori's work was very innovative during a time when children’s learning was very ‘rote’ (repetition of facts spoken aloud)

She encouraged children to organise their own activities and absorb information from their environment.

Montessori believed in a child-led education, learning through the senses and development of construction their own ideas

Maria Montessori 1870-1952

Unlike Frobel, Montessori did not place a value on imaginative play but instead encouraged children to learn from real life activities.

Link to Montessori Schools Website

Maria Montessori 1870-1952

In a Montessori school children are presented with specially designed equipment that are referred to as ‘didactic’ materials (intended to instruct)

Montessori believed that children will only play with the material provided if they are ready – age and stage.

Montessori believed that children are capable and adults should guide them not lead them.

The early years is a recognised time when children are very absorbent.

Maria Montessori 1870-1952

Montessori and current practice.

Although Montessori valued adult initiated play rather than child initiated play, her views have influenced settings through the following means…

A holistic approach to development. The focus on the child’s involvement with the

environment. Encouraging children to take responsibility. Consideration of age and stage appropriate activities.

Rudolph Steiner1861-1925

Steiner believed in the importance of maintaining a bond the child and the adult.

He believed that self esteem and emotional well-being were central to the child’s development.

His approach to education was holistic, placing great importance on being healthy – diet and physical well-being.

Rudolph Steiner1861-1925

Like Montessori Steiner considered the environment to being central in children’s learning experiences.

Steiner encouraged adults to assess children individually and to plan accordingly.

Children with additional needs were to be included in play activities and not segregated.

Rudolph Steiner1861-1925

Did you know???

Steiner believed that childhood was divided into three phases…..

1 – The will (0-7 Years) Fusing of the body and spirit 2 – The heart (7-14) The rhythm of the heartbeat

meant that feelings are an important part of this age range.

3 – The head (14 years +) A period of thinking.

Rudolph Steiner1861-1925

Steiner and current practice

Steiner's influence can be traced in settings today through the following….

Children with addition needs are integrated into mainstream schools when possible.

Children with additional needs are considered when planning play situations. A SENCO is appointed to advise on this matter.

Circle time is widely used to as a means of developing well-being and communication.

Margaret McMillan1860-1931

McMillan believed that a child would develop into a whole person by learning through play.

McMillan initially focussed on developing a child’s manual dexterity (skill and grace in physical movements).

McMillan believed that children should have access to all materials through free play.

Margaret McMillan1860-1931

Just like Steiner, McMillan placed a great emphasis on a healthy diet – linking deprivation to a poor level of learning.

McMillan also shared Froebel’s ideas on the importance of first hand experiences and active learning.

Margaret McMillan1860-1931

McMillan’s influence on current practice.

McMillan influenced today's early years current practice through the following approaches…

A child centred curriculum based on play. Partnerships between parents and recognising them

as educators. Focus on healthy meals for children Professional development of adults working with

children

Susan Isaacs1885-1948

Isaac’s was influenced by the work created by Frobel, she also took in to consideration the work created by Anna Freud and Melanie Klein in the sense of imaginary play.

They believed that a child’s emotional state was revealed through imaginary play.

Isaac’s believe that play was a tool used to explore and understand a child's feelings.

Susan Isaacs1885-1948

Isaac’s believed that children should be provided with the space and freedom to move around in.

A play based curriculum should be implemented to aid children’s learning up to 7 years of age.

Isaac’s conducted research into when it was appropriate age for children to start school. Her research suggested that children would regress if starting at five rather than before.

Susan Isaacs1885-1948

Isaac’s and current practice

Isaac’s influence on current early years practice is seen through the following…..

The emphasis on working in partnerships with parents. Seeing them as educators.

Imaginary play as a way of exploring feelings. The current debate as to whether children

should be in school before the age of five.

Jean Piaget1896-1980

Piaget was recognised for his thinking on how children would actually learn. He was a constructivist theorist.

However it is widely known that many challenged his theories.

However, his approach to understanding how children learn is actively used in practice today.

Jean Piaget1896-1980

Piaget theorised that for children to learn they had to be active participants in their own learning.

He also believed that children would pass through four stages of development form birth right up to adulthood

Sensori-motor - Gaining control of his/her movements Pre operational - Everyone has the same thoughts Concrete operational – Logic start to set in Formal operational – Fully developed abstract

thinking (hard to understand)

Jean Piaget1896-1980

One of Piaget’s main ideas referred to children’s learning through the development of what's known as Schemas.

Piaget believed that children learn through exploration of their surroundings making conclusions of what they have seen or explored, this is what Piaget refers to as schemas.

Jean Piaget1896-1980

One of Piaget’s main ideas referred to children’s learning through the development of what's known as Schemas.

Piaget believed that children learn through exploration of their surroundings making conclusions of what they have seen or explored, this is what Piaget refers to as schemas.

Piaget believed children built upon these schemas to enforce learning. This happens in Four stages.

Jean Piaget1896-1980

Piaget and current practice

Despite there being many criticisms to Piaget’s work, Chris Athey applied Piaget’s model and describes the development of schemas to relate to current practice

Transporting – moving one thing to another place. Connecting – Putting things together then separating Trajectory – Wanting to see how things move Rotation – Interested in seeing how things move round Enveloping – Interested in putting things into

containers.

Lev Vygotsky1896-1934

Like Piaget, Vygotsky was a constructivist theorist. He also believed in children constructing their own learning.

However, he placed much more influence on the role of the adult in supporting children's development through play this is called scaffolding.

Vygotsky emphasised what children were capable of learning – ZPD

Lev Vygotsky1896-1934

Vygotsky and current practice.

Vygotsky’s influence on today's practice can be seen through the following….

A child centred approach. Adult led activities – the adult acts as guide to

support and extend learning. Through planning adults can organise activities

that will develop children's own ideas. (Adult initiated)

Jerome BrunerBorn 1915

Like Piaget and Vygotsky, Bruner believed that children learn through choice and active involvement in their own learning.

Bruner believed that in the following

1. Doing – first hand experiences2. Imaging – books, displays to remind of previous

learning e.g. interest tables. 3. Making what they know – the use of language

Tina Bruce

Tina Bruce is a current expert in early years education and sees play as vital to children’s development.

Her definition of free flow play has influenced the way children are offered a choice of activities in the early years curriculum.

Bruce believes that a play provision should be of the highest quality to enable a holistic approach to young children.

Tina Bruce Tina Bruce identifies 12 features of play to help recognise,

monitor and cultivate free-flow play.

1. Using first hand experiences2. Making up rules3. Making props4. Choosing to play5. Rehearsing for the future6. Pretending7. Playing alone8. Playing together9. Having a personal agenda10. Being deeply involved11. Trying out recent learning12. Coordinating ideas, feelings and relationships for the

free-flow play

Janet Moyles Janet Moyles focuses upon

children’s play in the early years.

She argues that ‘free play’ without an adults input needs to be followed with play directed by the adult.

Once he/she has mastered that play they can return to free play using the skills that the adult has helped them to learn.