Understanding Play: Pedagogy and Possibilities

Unit code: ECE4001 | Study level: Undergraduate
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Footscray Nicholson
Online Real Time
VU Brisbane
VU Sydney
ECE2003 - History, Philosophy and Early Childhood Education
ECE2004 - Engaging with Place through Rethinking Childhoods and Development
ECE2005 - Engaging with Place through Play
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Overview
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Overview

Play is central to learning in early childhood education, yet this ubiquitous concept is hard to define. This unit draws on current research of play to extend students’ understanding of play as critical to human belonging, being and becoming. This unit draws on students’ prior experiences in Early Childhood contexts to understand play more deeply and from different perspectives and generate creative and imaginative ways for students to advocate for children’s right to play.

In this unit students will examine approaches to play including Fleer's conceptual playworld, Forest schools/bush kinder, PlayWork, Edwards digital play. There will be a focus on children’s transition to primary school, and the changing role of play in primary school environments. Play therapy and the role of play in social justice will also be explored.


Philosophical, practical, theoretical, and cultural contexts; psychology, play research, and brain research inform the learning in this unit.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Articulate how belonging, being and becoming develops through play
  2. Design contexts for play that nurture children’s and teachers’ lives
  3. Advocate for play as a critical activity for human beings and particularly in early childhood
  4. Critically analyse contemporary theories and pedagogies of play

Study as a single unit

This unit can be studied on its own, without enrolling in a full degree.

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Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Journal
|
Grade: 10%
Record incidences of experienced and observed play
Assessment type: Presentation
|
Grade: 40%
Create a presentation to explain the benefits of play
Assessment type: Creative Works
|
Grade: 50%
Design a play event using material objects to advocate for the importance of play in early childhood education

Required reading

Links to relevant texts will be available via VU collaborate.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

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