1. Supporting children’s play
Unit 6

2. What is a play environment?
The play environment should reflect the holistic needs of children, giving attention to the physical, social, cultural and personal aspects of the environment. The environment needs to embrace the diversity of our society. It needs to be attractively and hygienically set out to look inviting.

3. All aspects of the EYFS need to be reflected in a range of experiences and activities.
Relevant parts of the day need to have spaces that reflect a natural, home environment – eg: sleep time.
All children need to be included, regardless of special educational needs and disabilities.
The atmosphere needs to be comfortable and positive.

4. There should always be resources that are there all the time – this is called continuous provision and includes areas such as:
Malleable natural materials (clay, play dough)
Home corner – links to ‘home’
Workshop – recycled material for model-making, mark-making etc
Sand – wet & dry and water

5. How environments support play
Play is natural to babies and young children, but play needs to develop to support children’s learning and development.
This is done by introducing new people and experiences.
Therefore it is important that practitioners cultivate play by creating an enabling environment.

6. Space and places
Children need space for freedom of movement to be able to explore and learn.
Children should be allowed to move freely between indoors and outdoors. (free flow)
Children learn better if play is supported and not adult-led, directed.
Children need to interact with nature and get fresh air.

7. Work with others to create enabling play environments
Why do you think that the play environment should reflect children’s homes?
Why should parents and other professionals be involved with the creation of an enabling environement?