EDF5044 Play and pedagogy

In this unit you will learn contemporary play theories and critically review play-based pedagogies. You will investigate contemporary approaches on how play is defined and re-theorised, and through this process you will be able to explore the relationship between play and learning, thus develop your specialised knowledge, skills and professional practice in teaching young children in play-based contexts. You will apply advanced understanding of play pedagogies to support infant-toddlers’ (aged 0-3 years old) and preschoolers’ (aged 3-5 years) conceptual learning in a range of early childhood curricula areas (e.g. numeracy, science, technology, language and literacy, etc.). A key feature of this unit is the examination of cross-cultural variations, collective relationships, digital spaces and the range of play contexts in which children find themselves today. This unit will support your ability to be a pedagogical leader through the documentation and evaluation of children’s play, and the application of these ideas in your work to engage young learners. Learning multiple ways of documenting, planning and implementing play-based pedagogies, you will be required to engage in the analysis of play from the child’s perspective. The adults’ position in children’s play will be examined and you will apply this knowledge to pedagogical practice in play.