Engaging with Place through Play

In this unit pre-service teachers will construct knowledge, skills and attitudes to respectfully foreground Indigenous perspectives by connecting to place. Drawing on contemporary views of young children's play, through the practice of Playwork, pre-service teachers learn how to construct playful opportunities for young children. In this unit, pre-service teachers undertake a period of Playwork placement by facilitating Pop-Up Play spaces in urban environments. Working with peers, pre-service teachers engage with families and community members to support children's child-directed play.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Articulate Indigenous perspectives & connections to place when advocating for children’s play standpoints in framing play-based teaching practices in early childhood contexts;
2. Exhibit the importance of play and Playwork in urban spaces to build playful opportunities for young children;
3. Integrate reciprocal relationships with peers, professionals, children and families in the university and professional experience context.