playing based learning

            Defining ‘play’ 

While there is no one definition of play, there are a number of agreed characteristics that describe play. Play can be described as:

pleasurable-play is an enjoyable and pleasurable activity. Play sometimes includes frustrations, challenges and fears; however enjoyment is a key feature.

symbolic-play is often pretend, it has a ‘what if?’ quality. The play has meaning to the player that is often not evident to the educator.

active-play requires action, either physical, verbal or mental engagement with materials, people, ideas or the environment.

voluntary-play is freely chosen. However, players can also be invited or prompted to play process oriented-play is a means unto itself and players may not have an end or goal in sight.

self motivating-play is considered its own reward to the player.

Building a Curriculum Based on Children’s Play 

The teacher can take advantage of the children’s high interest and engagement in the block play by planning an entire curriculum unit around the topic of “Structures” and incorporating her standards-based goals and objectives for children’s learning into well-planned building play experiences. In order to do this the teacher:

• Sets up the environment to stimulate building play.

• Provides drawing and writing materials for documentation of building play and concrete materials for children to use in making three-dimensional representations of their buildings.

• Creates time in the daily schedule for discussion and reflection on shared and individual building.

• Uses teaching strategies that help children reflect on their building and think more deeply about the science involved.

Some images offered the students activities during the implementation of the strategy

prepared by : Zienab in 8/3/2016

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/our-publications/every-child-magazine/every-child-index/every-child-vol-16-3-2010/play-based-learning-free-article

http://www.cmec.ca/Publications/lists/publications/attachments/282/play-based-learning_statement_EN.pdf

http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=453