6.7: Play- The Vehicle for Development and Learning
Since in previous chapters we have explored the notion that children learn through “play”, let’s expand on that concept a bit as it relates to curriculum.
Children are born observers and are active participants in their own learning and understanding of the world around them from the very beginning of their existence. This means they are not just recipients of a teacher’s knowledge. Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) challenges early childhood professionals to be intentional in their interactions and environments to create optimal experiences to maximize children’s growth and development. Under this umbrella of DAP, knowledge is based upon discovery and discovery occurs through active learning and abundant opportunities for exploration. Through a “hands-on” approach and using play as a vehicle, children will develop the skills necessary for growth and development and maximize their learning.
Teachers play a pivotal role in children’s active construction of knowledge. They intentionally provide the environments, interactions, and experiences that support children in actively building concepts, skills, and overall development. The role of the teacher who works with young children in early childhood is to support children’s active construction of knowledge. In a sense, early childhood teachers serve as research supports as the children sense, discover, and construct meaning about the world around them.
Early childhood teachers are responsible for:
- offering children well-stocked play spaces where they can construct concepts and ideas, preferably in the company of peers
- designing daily routines that invite children to be active participants and to use emerging skills and concepts
- supporting children’s learning through interactions and conversations that prompt using language and ideas in new ways
Going back to Table 6.1, which concepts are being developed by which types of play? By incorporating each of these types of play, are you developing the “whole child”? Why or why not?
As with most things, the way that children play will go through developmental stages. As teachers plan, they keep in mind the stages of play relevant to the children they are planning for. Originally described by Parten (1932), this list, explains how children’s play changes by age as they grow and develop social skills.
- Unoccupied Play (Birth-3 Months) : At this stage, a baby is making many movements with their arms, legs, hands, feet, etc. They are learning about and discovering how their body moves.
- Solitary Play (Birth-2 Years) : This is the stage when a child plays alone. They are not interested in playing with others quite yet.
- Spectator/Onlooker Behavior (2 Years) : During this stage, a child begins to watch other children playing but does not play with them.
- Parallel Play (2+Years) : When a child plays alongside or near others but does not play with them.
- Associate Play (3-4 Years) : When a child starts to interact with others during play, but there is not a large amount of interaction at this stage.
- Cooperative Play (4+ years) : When a child plays together with others and has interest in both the activity and other children involved in playing. [73]
Why might these stages be important to consider? How would you use this information in your planning?