The topic of play is fundamental to understanding how children grow and learn. Play in Early Childhood Education is the essential introduction to the theories behind this play and how it relates to children’s development and learning. It enables early childhood education students to understand the complex learning theories, professional practice and government policies on children’s play. This user-friendly text also tackles the rapidly changing contexts where children are raised and educated, demonstrating diverse approaches to play-based learning and considering new insights and possibilities.

• Uses current research to inform day-to-day curriculum practice in early childhood settings throughout Australia.
• Focuses on catering for the needs of children from culturally diverse backgrounds – from immigrant and refugee backgrounds to play within indigenous communities.
• Includes contributions from a range of experts with current views, knowledge and understanding of research in play to enrich the depth of knowledge to be shared with students.
• Includes case studies, insightful questions and examples of professional practice allowing students to apply theoretical concepts to possible teaching and learning contexts and situations.

 

About the authors

Acknowledgments

Publisher's note

Notes on how to use this text

PART 1: PLAY AND DEVELOPMENT

1. Perspectives on Play in a Changing World

2. Infants and Toddlers and the Power of Play in Developing Young Minds

3. Knowing Me, Knowing You: The Relationship Dynamics of Infant Play

4. Play and Literacy Pedagogies for Preschool and Early Years Settings

5. Play for Learning and Transition to School

6. Emergence of Child Leadership through Play in Early Childhood

7. Landscapes for Play and Story

PART 2: PLAY IN ACTION IN DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS

8. Reconsidering the Play-Work Dicotomy in Pedagogy

9. Play and the Reggio Emilia Approach in Preschools

10. Possibilities and Pitfalls of Techno-toys and Digital Play in Mathematics Learning

11. Children Redefine Learning in Science through Play

PART 3: FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND PLAY

12. Playing as Becoming: Sharing Australian Aboriginal Voices on Play

13. Children’s Work and Play: The Interconnected Contexts for their Learning

14. Play and Cultural Transition

15. Promoting Intercultural Competence through Technology-based Play

16. Play: Some Concluding Reflections

Bibliography

Index

Marjory Ebbeck – Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of South Australia
Majula Waniganayake – Associate Professor, Institute of Early Childhood, Macquarie University