Post on 21-Jan-2016
Play Memories
Think about your favourite childhood play memory.
Was it inside or outside?
Were you playing on your own or were there others?
Where were the adults?
Did it involve risk?
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old…
…we grow old because we stop playing.”
George Bernard Shaw
WELCOMEA Day in Nursery
Learning Through Play
What is Play?
Play is the universal language of childhood.
Make sense of the world
No “right” or “wrong”
Alone? With others?
Equipment?
End product?
Boisterous? Quiet?
“Play is a child’s work.”
Why is play so
important?Independence and self-esteem
Respect for others
Social interaction
Healthy growth and development
Increases knowledge and understanding
Promotes children's creativity and capacity to learn
Planning for Play
The ‘whole child’
Sharing information
Learning jotters
Observation & interaction
Interests
Discussions
Responsive
Planning meetings
Curriculum
Play Possibilities
One possibility…
Endless possibilities…
Planning for Play
Check-in
Who’s here
Counting
Days of the week
Weather
News
Planning for the day
Focused PlaySmall & Large Group Times
Key Group
Classes
Whole Group
Interest Group
Challenge/Support
Places for Play
InsidePre-schoolGym hallSchool library
OutsidePre-school gardenAdventure playSchool groundsSecret Garden
Trips and Visits
Places for Play
Art Area
Different SpacesEaselsTablesStudio
MaterialsJunkNatural materialsInspirationPaintGlue
ToolsBrushesScissorsEveryday objects
Places for PlayArt Area
Learning Opportunities
Develop creativity
Develop vocabulary
Explore materials
Problem solving
Express ideas
Places for Play
Home Corner
Different spacesAuthenticPreparing spaceDining table
PropsCooking utensilsRecipe booksPots and pansCrockeryCutleryApronFood?
Places for PlayHome Corner
Learning Opportunities
Listening & talking
Role play
Make sense of the world
Social development
Exploring numbers
Places for PlayConstruction
Tools & MaterialsReal toolsWoodLoose partsHelmetsConesEarmuffsReflective jacketsTape measuresClipboardsPlans
Places for PlayConstruction
Learning Opportunities
Assessing & managing risk
Exploring shape
Learning about different materials
Social development
Listening & talking
Places for PlayPlaydough
MaterialsPlaydoughClay
SensoryTextureScentColour
InspirationBakingSeasonsCelebrationsLoose parts
Places for PlayPlaydough
Learning Opportunities
Sensory development
Developing vocabulary
Exploring materials
Places for PlayWriting Area
Tools & Materials
PencilsPensHole punchStaplerRubbersRulersScissorsFoam lettersPost-itsEnvelopesDifferent kinds of paper
Places for PlayWriting Area
Learning Opportunities
Exploring mark making
Recording thoughts & ideas
Writing for a purpose
Develop fine motor skills
Learning from others
Places for PlayWriting Area
Learning Opportunities
Exploring mark making
Recording thoughts & ideas
Writing for a purpose
Develop fine motor skills
Learning from others
Places for PlayChill Area
Sofa
Pods
Cushions
Blankets
Books
Lamps
Places for PlayChill Area
Learning Opportunities
Listening & talking
A chance to rest
Enjoy exploring stories
Places for PlaySand, Water &
More!
Measuring cylinders
Items for pouring and filling
Sieves
Loose parts
Natural materials
Sensory materials
Small world
Places for PlaySand, Water &
More!
Learning Opportunities
Volume & capacity
Movement & flow
Properties of materials
Real life & imaginative experiences
Places for PlayExpressive
Area
Real life props
Loose parts
Puppets
Musical instruments
Dressing up
Material
Clipboards & pens
SMART board
Places for PlayExpressive
Area
Learning Opportunities
Listening & talking
Role play
Imagination & creativity
Social development
Making sense of the world
Express ideas
Places for PlaySmall World
Different SpacesConstructionImaginativeNumberSensory
Materials & PropsMarble runSmall blocksLoose partsK’nexLegoVehiclesThemed playscapesVariety of materials
Places for PlaySmall World
Learning Opportunities
Shape
Problem solving
Numbers
Imagination & creativity
Social development
Properties of materials
Places for PlayOutdoors
Free flow
All weathers
Signs & charts
Places for PlayOutdoors
Nature & the Environment
ResourcesMagnifying glassesGardening toolsWindy toysWatering cans
Learning OpportunitiesCaring for environmentWeather & seasonsLiving & growing
Places for PlayOutdoors
Loose Parts
ResourcesPlanks of woodCable reelsSteering wheels & tyresBarrelsPipes & gutteringNets & creelsBoxesLarge tubesTarpaulins & ropes
Learning OpportunitiesProblem SolvingListening & talkingLearning from setbacksManaging riskDeveloping creativityExploring materials
Places for PlayOutdoors
Loose Parts
ResourcesPlanks of woodCable reelsSteering wheels & tyresBarrelsPipes & gutteringNets & creelsBoxesLarge tubesTarpaulins & ropes
Learning OpportunitiesProblem SolvingListening & talkingLearning from setbacksManaging riskDeveloping creativityExploring materials
Places for PlayOutdoors
Sensory & Art
MaterialsChunky chalkPaintbrushesBucketsInspiring picturesMirrorsPaintWater
Learning OpportunitiesProperties of materialsCreativitySense of wonderLanguageFine motor
Places for PlayOutdoors
Physical Play
Spaces & PropsRopesTunnelObstacle coursesAdventure playground
Learning OpportunitiesGross motorRiskAwareness of spaceHealth
Places for PlayOutdoors
Secret Garden
SpacesGathering spaceTrees & bushesPathways‘Swing’
Learning OpportunitiesRespecting natureSeasonsLiteracyGross motorRiskAwareness of spaceHealth
A Pause from Play
Snack
Preparing Snack
Rolling snack
Snack helpers
A Pause from Play
Snack
Snack Routine
Independence
Counting
Healthy lifestyle
A Pause from Play
Snack
Eating Snack
Social development
Exploring new foods
Planning for play
Time to reflect
A Pause from Play
Toothbrushing
Reinforcing good habits
People who help us
Tidy Up Time
Tidy Up Routine5 minute warningSongTidy up rotaPictures
Learning OpportunitiesHow to tidyTeam workRespect for materials & resourcesWhere things goMatching & sorting
Staying All Day
-Making lunch time an enjoyable experience
-Relaxing, quieter time
-Utilising other areas of school
Lunch Time
All together
Relaxed, sociable time
Reinforce table manners
Try new and different foods
Big dining table ‘like home’
Together Time
Review
Story
Songs
Sharing Time
Valuable
Share news
Pass on information
More about Play…
Useful Websites
Parentzone:
Every Day’s a Learning Day:
Play Scotland“I’m Bored!”:
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone/
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/EveryDaysaLearningDay3to6_tcm4-689254.pdf
http://www.playscotland.org/parents-families/im-bored/