To Prepare:
Use the Walden Library to locate peer-reviewed journal articles, written within the last 5 years, that focus on the importance of play for young children’s healthy development and learning.
Module 5 Assignment 1:
Blog: The importance of Play in Early Childhood
To Prepare:
Use the
Walden Library
to locate peer-reviewed journal articles, written within the last 5 years, that focus on the importance of play for young children’s healthy development and learning.
Note:
· You may need to read/skim a number of articles before you find one you choose to use as the basis for this Assignment.
Assignment Task Part 1
After reading the article you chose, create a 2 -page post for your blog that includes the following:
· A summary of the article
· How the information gleaned from this article may inform your work related to learning about the role of play in children’s healthy development
· An APA citation of the article
· One resource cited in the article that you would like to read to extend your learning.
Assignment Task Part 2
Please read through your peers’ blogs and Respond in a 100 word response and note any resources that might inform your current and/or future early childhood practice and areas of possible research.
Assignment 1 Learning Resources
http://classroom.synonym.com/relationship-between-theory-practice-education-5050.html
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1234482
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/waldenu.edu?url=https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2020.1814210
http://www.wested.org/online_pubs/tchrbrief
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1209433
Assignment Task Part 2
Please read through your peers’ blogs and Respond in a 100 word response and note any resources that might inform your current and/or future early childhood practice and areas of possible research.
Posted by Katheryn Gonzales
Blog: The Importance of Play in Early Childhood
Play in the early childhood classroom is an essential experience for all children. Play allows teachers to create a supportive, child-centered learning environment. Play is recognized as a crucial aspect of overall child development. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) supports play as an essential practice in school (Coopple & Bredekamp, 2009).
The article The Essential Role of Play in School Contexts for Well-being of Children (Stone, 2017) highlights the importance of play in the school context. The article defines the role of play and differentiates between teaching a set of standards and teaching the individual child. Stone (2017) continues to point out the due diligence of educators to make sure we are not teaching children the drudgery of school but instead encouraging educators to incorporate play in the classroom. Play in education is also crucial for mental and emotional health. In the last fifty years, as research shows that children are playing less outdoors, studies show an increase in anxiety, depression, and feelings of helplessness (Gray, 2011). Children learn through play how to express emotions, have self-confidence, problem solve, self-regulate, and work with others. Play also teaches children self-control (Stone, 2017).
Stone (2017) defines the role of play in the context of school. The article suggests that a learning environment that “looks” like children are learning does not have to be quiet and filled with worksheets and organizers. Play in the learning environment is a natural learning opportunity for children, which helps to protect a child’s wellbeing. Play lends itself naturally to children learning how to negotiate through verbal conversations. For example, children learn to take turns and share as they negotiate through play. Children learn cognitive planning through sequencing out dramatic play. Problem-solving is one essential skill that plays a vital role in child development. Children learn to build their imagination and creativity. Finally, children build friendships with one another as they develop problem-solving skills, social and emotional awareness, flexibility, self-regulation, resilience, and imagination (Stone, 2017).
Finally, the article affirms the importance of a play-based approach to learning versus a curriculum-based approach. Brain research shows that play supports the active brain and makes neurological connections. Imaginative and creative children lead to innovative adults (Stone, 2017). The article concludes with the importance of educators advocating for children. The current field of education is centered around curriculum and standards-based education. As early childhood educators, the article emphasizes the importance of advocating for play-based education (Stone, 2017).
The information gleaned from this article informs my role as a kindergarten teacher in many ways. I teach in a Title 1 school that is heavily standard and curriculum-based. Play is not a priority in the kindergarten classroom. The article proved the importance of play on brain development, social-emotional wellness, and creating innovative learning environments. I am encouraged by this article to advocate for play-based learning in my classroom.
To extend my learning, I would like to research the shift from curriculum-based education to play-based learning. The article referenced one resource:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/08/23/our-misguided-effort-to-close-the-achievement-gap-is-creating-a-new-inequality-the-play-gap/
This article further encourages my desire to be an advocate for play. I want to further my research on areas that I can lend a voice for my students.
References
Copple, C., & Bredekamp, S. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood
serving children from birth to age 8. Third edition. Washington, DC: NAEYC.
Gray, P. (2011). The decline of play and the rise of psychopathology in children and adolescents.
American Journal of Play, 3(4), 443–463.
Stone, S. J. (2017). The Essential Role of Play in School Contexts for the Well-Being of Children. LEARNing Landscapes, 10(2), 305–318.
Posted by Kelli Barnes
Article:
Mardell, S. L. Solis, & O. Bray. (2019)
The state of play in school: defining and promoting playful learning in formal education settings
. International Journal of Play 8:3, pages 232-236.
Summary:
In the article The state of play in school: Defining and promoting playful learning in formal education settings, the authors bring a very interesting point to attention. Despite many debates on the word ‘play’, researchers are witnessing the positive effects that incorporating play into the classroom exhibits. In addition to these benefits, incorporation of play can include three models that introduce play into the classroom more effectively for teachers that can also be complementary to curriculum. These three models include Five Characteristics of Learning Through Play, Indicators of Playful Learning, and a Continuum of Play-Based Learning. The authors further explain the complexities of the implementation of play into the classroom. However, with these three models put into place, educators can provide intentional and effective play that enhances learning and promotes development across all domains.
How can the information in this article inform your work related to the role of play in children’s healthy development?
The information in the article above provides sufficient information and methods for implementing play into the classroom effectively. By utilizing the three methods that the author references above, we as educators can identify the importance of play and what it looks like in the learning environment. In addition, we can plan lessons with this knowledge of what play-based learning is and what it looks like, while incorporating aspects of play into each of our lessons with a continuum. To further this study and delve deeper into the benefits of incorporating more play into the classroom, I would be interested in reviewing more student opinions along with data that shows the benefits of play in academics. Moir and Brunker make a great point of student opinions encouraging more parent involvement and guided instruction to more play in the classroom (Moir & Brunker, 2021).
References
Mardell, S. L. Solis, & O. Bray. (2019) The state of play in school: defining and promoting playful learning in formal education settings. International Journal of Play 8:3, pages 232-236.
Moir,P. & N. Brunker. (2021)
‘We actually get to go out and play’: looking through children’s views on Out of School Hours Care to children’s experience of school
. International Journal of Play 10:3, pages 302-315.
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