1. Learning through Play
Oak Base

2. "Play underpins all development and learning for young children.”

3. Play Play underpins the delivery of all of the Foundation Years.
Children must have opportunities to play both indoors and outdoors.
Most children play spontaneously, although some may need adult support.
Through play children develop intellectually, creatively, physically, socially and emotionally.
In playing children behave in different ways, sometimes their play will be responsive, sometimes they may describe what they are doing and at other times they are quiet and reflective in their play.

4. Why is play necessary?
Play is the way in which children learn. They learn most effectively when they are relaxed and having fun. Children’s learning becomes meaningful when they are free to learn at their own rate and in their own way.

5. Through play children can...
Explore, develop and represent learning experiences that help them to make sense of the world
Practise and build up ideas, concepts and skills
Learn how to control impulses and understand the need for rules
Be alone, be alongside others or co-operate as they talk or rehearse their feelings
Take risks and make mistakes
Communicate with others as they investigate or solve problems
Express fears or relive anxious experiences in controlled and safe situations

6. What are the benefits of play?
Play enables children to develop all their skills – and as children develop so does their play.
Play provides opportunities to improve small and large muscle skills and maintain physical health.
Play helps to develop imagination and creativity, provides a context in which to practise social skills, acts as an outlet for emotional expression and provides opportunities to understand value systems.
Providing for play includes ensuring that the child has opportunities, resources and time for play appropriate to each child’s stage of development.
Long periods of uninterrupted play build children’s concentration and the inner motivation to take responsibility for their own learning.

7. A positive sense of self is the most powerful tool for all learning.

8. Importance of play
Play helps children learn about the world in which they live. They can investigate and discover, test their theories, spatial relationships, explore cause and effect, societal roles and family values. Such is the importance of play, that there's virtually no area of life about which it can't teach your child something.
Play builds self-esteem. Children will often play at something they know they can do well, at which they can be successful.
Play builds social skills. Children will begin playing with inanimate and non-threatening objects, like cuddly toys, bricks etc, so practising their interactive skills. Later, playing with other children will build on this foundation as they learn to share, take turns, assert themselves and begin to empathise with others.

9. Importance of play
Play with parents shouldn't be underestimated either, as research shows that children whose parents play with them ultimately develop superior social skills.
Play also provides the opportunity for children to work out their feelings. The importance of dealing with difficult or unpleasant emotions is immense. A child who's worried about going to the dentist, for example, may deal with the anxiety by setting up a clinic for dolls with toothache.
Play helps with language development. Think of the vast number of words a child uses during play, many of them repeatedly, enhancing their language skills.

10. Types of play
Quiet. These activities can often be conducted in one place, such as looking at books or working with blocks. Children do not need great amounts of energy for quiet play and these activities are especially useful when a child is tired.
Creative. These activities allow a child to engage his/her imagination through painting, dancing, sculpting with clay and much more. Creative play allows children to come up with their own worlds, and many children enjoy being in charge of these activities.
Active. These activities require a good amount of energy and often help children develop their gross and fine motor skills. Playing with balls and climbing frames are examples of active child’s play.
Cooperative. These activities involve more than one child. When children play with others and share their toys or take turns in an activity, they engage in cooperative play.
Dramatic/Role playing. Like creative play, children engage their imaginations during dramatic play or role playing and often take on the persona of a different character. Some dramatic play may take place with other children, though it might also include toys, dolls or even imaginary friends.

11. Role of adult Adult directed – Adult plans play
(letters and sounds, handwriting)
Adult initiated – Adult suggests to child
(Resources, questions - Could you build a tower 20 bricks high?)
Child initiated – Child suggests to adult
(Interest in animals/cars/castles)
Independent Play
(Spontaneous Play)
Need a balance of all.

12. Encouraging Child’s Play
One of the most important things that a parent can do for their children is to be available for play. Activities that many parents enjoy doing with their children include:
Singing silly songs and nursery rhymes with young children.
Reading to children of all ages.
Taking part in their children’s tea parties, school days or whatever other imaginary events they have dreamed up.
Dressing up in “costumes” and performing plays written and directed by their children.
Kicking or throwing a ball in the garden or park.
Playing “I spy” while out on walks or long drives.
Building towers of blocks or sand castles at the beach.

13. SEAL and the 6R’s

14. Seal and the 6R’s in oak base
Resilient
Respectful
Resourceful
Reciprocal
Responsible
Reflective
Can you place in order of importance?
What would you introduce first? Why?

15. Order of 6r’s in oak base Responsible – I am a good role model.
Respectful – I say please and thank you.
Reciprocal – I am a kind friend.
Resourceful – I plan to learn ...
Resilience – I tried my hardest today.
Reflective – I thought about my learning today.

16. Circle time
Circle time is crucial in helping children to develop personal, social and emotional skills fundamental to learning. This area is the most important and will influence development in other areas.

17. Any Questions? Thank you 