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Exploring Play for Early Childhood Studies
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Exploring Play for Early Childhood Studies



September 2012 | 216 pages | Learning Matters

Winner of the 2013 Nursery World Awards!


This is a key text for all those studying for degrees and foundation degrees in early childhood, early years and related disciplines and for candidates on EYPS pathways. It takes the reader through a detailed exploration of the nature of play examining the features and the concepts of play. Guidance on the observation of children's play is included and the text encourages students to appreciate the value of play in development and in socialisation. Children's rights and the ownership of play are also covered. With interactive activities and case studies throughout, the text helps students to arrive at an understanding of their own practice in relation to play.

About the Early Years series

This series has been designed to support students of Early Years, Early Childhood Studies and related disciplines in popular modules of their course. Each text takes a focused look at a specific topic and approaches it in an accessible and user-friendly way. Features have been developed to help readers engage with the text and understand the subject from a number of different viewpoints. Activities pose questions to prompt thought and discussion and 'Theory Focus' boxes examine essential theory close-up for better understanding. This series is also applicable to EYPS candidates on all pathways.

Other titles in the series are Early Childhood Studies, Childhood in Society for Early Childhood Studies and Child Observation for the Early Years.

 
Introduction
 
PART ONE - WHAT IS PLAY?
 
Identifying features of play
 
Understanding concepts of play
 
Historical perspectives and principles
 
Observing play
 
PART TWO: THE BENEFITS OF PLAY
 
The value of play in child development
 
Play and social development
 
Play, creativity and risk
 
Contexts for play
 
PART THREE: CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND THE OWNERSHIP OF PLAY
 
The ownership of play: Play space, play cues and play actions
 
Developing a Pedagogy for Play
 
Conclusion: Play IS for life, not just for nursery

'An engaging read which prompts thought about the fundamental nature and importance of play'
- Nursery World


A valid book containing a range of perspectives suitable for Level 3 and Foundation degree students.

Mr Joe Murdoch
Childhood Studies, Isle of Wight College
May 27, 2016

This is a very useful book covering a lot of areas regarding the importance of play. It is useful for students to dip in and out of; the easy to access format will facilitate this. The chapter on 'developing a pedagogy for play' is particularly useful and challenges students to relate to current practice.

Mrs Claire Pescott
Dept of Care & Continuing Education, Ystrad Mynach College
July 1, 2015

A good text for students regarding the importance of play.

Miss KATY MEREDITH
CARE DEPARTMENT, COLEG Y CYMOEDD
September 1, 2015

This book is really great - particularly useful for students studying a Degree in Childhood Studies.
Will recommend to my students to use for their esssay.

Mrs Dawn Stuart
higher Education, Cardiff and Vale College
March 4, 2015

Excellent case studies and points for discussion. Ideal for education students studying early years play.

Miss Rebecca Bolan
Dept of Psychology, Kingston University
January 3, 2015

Clearly written, easy to use and very helpful

Mrs Dawn Burnham
Dept Of Applied Health Sciences, Farnborough College of Technology
November 21, 2014

Excellent informative book which the students found very useful

Rachelle Pole
Early Years, Hopwood Hall College
October 9, 2014

Play is a big part of the new early years qualifications and this book will help learners to develop ideas

Mrs Sue Kinsella
Child Studies, York College
July 9, 2014

a useful text for students completing final projects on Early Years

Ms Jill Wallis
Education Department, Bedfordshire Univ.
July 3, 2014

For instructors

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Paperback
ISBN: 9780857256850
£30.99

Hardcover
ISBN: 9780857258465
£113.00

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