Download Learning Through Play Parent Workshop Tuesday 6th October 2015

Learning Through Play
Parent Workshop
Tuesday 6th October 2015
“Psychologists have been attempting to define play and examine its role in
children’s development and learning for many years, but it has proved to be a
remarkably elusive and complex phenomenon.”
Developmental Psychology and Early Childhood Education, David Whitebread, 2012, pg.62
Physical Play; jumping, climbing, dancing, skipping, bike riding, ball play, rough-and-tumble, sewing,
colouring, cutting, junk modelling, manipulating materials or toys.
Play with Objects; grasping, holding, mouthing, biting, rotating, rubbing/stroking, building, making,
constructing.
Symbolic Play; drawing, mark-making, music.
Pretence/Socio-Dramatic Play; role play, storytelling, small world.
Games with Rules; hide and seek, tag, what’s the time Mr Wolf, computers.
Think about the ways your child plays at home.
Are they drawn to similar play experiences at school?
How can you support your child’s learning through play?
• During play children increase their knowledge and understanding of self, others, and the physical world
around them.
• Research on cognitive development and the brain show us that young children learn by constructing
knowledge or wiring the brain in a more physical and interactive way, involving all of the senses.
Using the resources on your table how could you help your child to…..
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Practice counting skills
Practice letter formation
Write simple words
Work as a team
Make music
Calculate addition sums
There are so many ways to support learning through play at any age.
Create a supportive environment; When a child feels emotionally secure they are more likely to take
risks and face challenges confidently.
Provide a range of opportunities; Inspire your child by providing a variety of resources that they can
access in a variety of ways.
Structure; Develop playful projects based on your child’s interests.
Participate; When adults play alongside their child it can enhance the quality of play.
It is important to challenge your child and encourage them to think, problem solve and self-regulate
while they play.
• Give space and time for play.
• Offer simple play materials drawn from household objects.
• Spend time each day working with your hands – raking leaves, baking. This inspires children’s play.
• Encourage outdoor adventures: run, climb, find secret places, use sticks, mud, twigs, etc.
• A good toy is 10 percent toy and 90 percent child.
• Minimise time spent in adult organised activities and exposure to screen based media.
Let’s plan together:
• Identify a current interest.
• How many play activities can you think of to relate to the interest?
• How many of these play activities link to learning?
Language Development
Risk Taking
Spend time observing your child at play.
Spend time engaging in play with your child.
Find creative ways to support your child’s learning through play.
Share your experience with others.
Challenge yourself and take risks.
Show your child how to do this safely.