1. Unit 5 Play and learning
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2. LO4 Understand play at different stages of children’s development.
AC 4.1 Discuss how children’s play needs and preferences change in relation to their stage of development.
AC 4.2 Discuss benefits to children’s learning and development of involving others in children’s play.
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3. What are your earliest memories of a favourite toy or game? Consider:
LO4 Understand play at different stages of children’s development [AC 4.1, 4.2]
Time: 10 mins
What are your earliest memories of a favourite toy or game? Consider:
Do you still have toy or comforter from when you were a baby?
Have you kept any dolls, action figures or soft toys?
Is there a board game or computer game that you keep playing?
Why did you or do you like this so much?
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4. LO4 Understand play at different stages of children’s development [AC 4.1]
How children's play needs change in relation to their stage of development
As you observe children in a setting you will notice how their needs and preferences change as they grow and develop.
It is then that you need to be aware of new interests and make sure that the play opportunities that are provided for the children suit their level of development and their learning.
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5. LO4 Understand play at different stages of children’s development [AC 4.1]
Time: 10 mins
Think about a baby (birth–18 months), toddler (18 months–3 years) and a young child (3–6 years).
In pairs, decide which toys would be suitable for each age range from the list below.
Train and train track
Soft activity cube
Wooden blocks
Activity gym
Musical instruments
Paints
Wrist and feet rattles
Ride-on toys
Dressing up clothes.
Teacher notes:
Learners may find images of these toys helpful to support them in completing this activity.
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6. LO4 Understand play at different stages of children’s development [AC 4.1]
How children's play needs change in relation to their stage of development
Along with the play needs of the child changing the adult’s role also alters to accommodate this. The table below shows a basic outline of how the adult can support the child’s play as they develop.
Babies
Toddlers
Young children
The adult needs to provide an environment where the baby can explore safely and develop knowledge of new places, textures and materials.
The adult needs to provide an environment that allows the child to take risks safely, explore a variety of new ideas, try different types of play and allow children to start to develop their social skills.
The adult needs to provide an environment that is safe, has opportunities for new experiences such as pretend play with enough space to move around in a safe way and chose what they would like to do.
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7. Involving parents/carers
LO4 Understand play at different stages of children’s development [AC 4.2]
Involving parents/carers
The child’s parents/carers play a key role in children’s learning and development.
Practitioners need to share experiences with parents/carers that are supporting children’s learning and development.
This could include sharing good practice and supporting children to tell parents/carers what they have been doing.
By involving parents/carers and others involved with the child a child’s learning and development will continue outside the setting.
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8. Benefits to the setting Benefits to the parents/carers
LO4 Understand play at different stages of children’s development [AC 4.2]
Time: 15 mins
Discuss the benefits of practitioners encouraging parents/carers to take an active role in their child’s play. Consider:
Benefits to the child
Benefits to the setting
Benefits to the parents/carers
The impact on a child’s learning and development.
What might happen if practitioners did not work with parents/carers?
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9. Involving others in children’s play
LO4 Understand play at different stages of children’s development [AC 4.2]
Involving others in children’s play
Some parents/carers may not see or know the importance of play in a child’s learning and development.
If parents/carers see play as something children only do at the setting then the child’s learning and development could be affected.
Practitioners need to involve others in order to show them the value of play.
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10. Teamwork within the setting Partnership with parents/carers.
LO4 Understand play at different stages of children’s development [AC 4.2]
Time: 15 mins
How well do practitioners in your setting work with others to support children’s learning and development through play?
Consider:
Teamwork within the setting
Partnership with parents/carers.
Why is it important for practitioners to work with others when supporting children’s learning and development?
Teacher notes:
Learners can discuss thoughts with a partner if there is time.
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11. Areas of learning and development The benefits to the child
LO4 Understand play at different stages of children’s development [AC 4.2]
Time: 15 mins
Discuss a range of activities to support a child’s learning and development that could be carried out in the home.
Consider:
Resources
Areas of learning and development
The benefits to the child
The benefits to the parent/carer.
Teacher notes:
Learners to discuss simple play activities that parents/carers could do with little or no cost or resources.
Examples:
Everyday counting
Matching
I spy
Sorting
Number songs
Books
Mark-making and drawing.
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12. LO4 Understand play at different stages of children’s development [AC 4.2]
Time: 15 mins
You have been asked to arrange an event to encourage parents/carers to support their child’s play. What would you do? Consider:
Timing
Location
Activities
Who will attend
Proposed outcomes.
Teacher notes:
This activity will encourage learners to think about how they share the importance and impact of play on learning and development.
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13. In this lesson we:
Have learnt how children’s play needs and preferences change in relation to their stage of development.
Have discussed how to involve others in children’s learning and development through play.
Have discussed the benefits to children’s learning and development when involving others in children’s play.
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14. List two ways in which a child’s play needs change as they develop.
Is the following statement true or false?
‘The adult’s role in supporting children's play is to tell them what they should be doing and guide them through playing with set toys and activities.’
List three ways of involving parents/carers in children’s play.
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