I will be looking at the three different types of play that can promote learning for the chosen age range. The following are descriptions of these three types of play:

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Rachel Palmer

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Introduction

The age range I will be looking at is four years to five years eleven months old, therefore in the reception class following the Foundation Stage curriculum. The National Curriculum for Physical Education (DFE, 1995a) for all year groups in Key Stages 1 and 2 became a legal requirement on 1 August 1995, by means of an Order made by the Secretaries of State for Education and for Wales. As the reception class does not follow the National curriculum yet they do not come under this, although many schools do include this class in physical education lessons.  I will be looking at the three different types of play that can promote learning for the chosen age range. The following are descriptions of these three types of play:

  1. Creative play- creative is where children explore and discover things around them in an inventive way. It has a lot to do with the children's senses, what they hear, see, smell, taste, and touch and also to do with different materials. If children are provided with opportunities, experiences and activities. The children could also develop skills such as:
  • Physical- fines and grosses motor skills
  • Social- working in pairs or groups will make the children feel more confident and will and will heighten their self-esteem.
  • Emotional- drawing/painting feelings (happy and sad colours). The children will feel proud of their work.
  • Intellectual- knowledge of subject and materials used

In this area of play I believe it should be stressed that children should be praised as they have put a lot of work into something even if it is totally non-recognisable as anything, considering some of the most famous artists drew/painted in abstract and their work is widely appreciated. At this age creative activities will be greatly influenced by key stage one requirements. They will have creativity incorporated into the learning of other topics. They will be beginning to learn some creative skills and follow instructions to carry them out. Also children will be developing a wider concentration span and more advanced fine manipulative skills. Tassoni and Beith (2002 p375) state that between the age of four and six ‘Children are more interested in creating things e.g. making a cake, drawing cards and planting seeds. They enjoy being with other children although they may play in pairs. Children are beginning to express themselves through painting and drawing as well as through play. They are enjoying using their physical skills in games and are confident when running and climbing.

Materials that can be used in creative play and that will also promote learning: sand and alternate materials, water, painting and drawing materials, malleable materials, adhesive materials, construction and scrap materials.

 At the beginning of the Foundation Stage children use their bodies to explore texture and space, this will develop towards the end of the Foundation Stage to children exploring colour, texture, shape, form and space in two or three dimensions. (Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage curriculum early learning goal for exploring materials p121). At the beginning of the Foundation Stage children show an interest in what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel and towards the end of the Foundation Stage this develops to the children responding in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel. (Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage curriculum early learning goal for responding to experiences and expressing and communicating ideas p127).

  1. Imaginative play- imaginative play is a lot to do with role-play, it can be carried out for enjoyment purposes in everyday play and it can be incorporated by practitioners so the children can explore different situations and fantasy worlds and acting.

Items such as (Tassoni and Beith 2002 p394):

  • Small world play, such as Lego or play Mobil
  • Puppets and dolls, especially persona dolls
  • Books and stories
  • Sand and water play
  • Painting and drawing
  • Play dough

Can be provided to help develop skills such as (Tassoni and Beith 2002 p 392)

  • Manipulative
  • Social
  • Sharing
  • Self confidence, feeling of security
  • Language and communication

At the beginning of the Foundation Stage children use isolated words and phrases and/or gestures to communicate with those well known to them and towards the end of the Foundation Stage children develop to speak clearly and audibly with confidence and control and show awareness of the listener. (Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage curriculum early learning goal for language for communication p 55).

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  1. Physical play- ‘The term ‘physical play’ is a term that can be used to describe the type of play in which children use their large muscles and exercise their whole body. They learn to control large and small muscles and develop co-ordination and surplus energy is expended’ (Tassoni and Beith 2002 p 382). Physical play is where children are using their muscles (large and small)) for enjoyment purposes. There is a less called P.E (physical education) in which children can develop and refine their skills and muscles in different e.g. dancing, athletics, and climbing apparatus. During self-directed ...

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