Subject details

At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

  1. defend and apply play-based approaches to curriculum design
  2. interpret views on the relationship between play and learning
  3. analyse and explain historical and current pedagogical assumptions, perspectives, and practices in play-based learning
  4. design environments for play, demonstrating an increased level of personal literacy
  5. critically review contemporary issues impacting on children’s right to play.

  • Topics

    • Perspectives on play
    • Theories about play and learning
    • Confronting assumptions about play
    • Play and culture
    • Play-work dichotomy: Continuity and transitions
    • Approaches to designing play-based curriculum: Reflective practice
    • Adult roles in children's play: Intentional teaching
    • Observing and documenting play: Assessment for learning
    • Contemporary issues impacting children's right to play
    • Designing environments for play
    • Families, communities and play
    • Play and the formation of ethical identities

  • Study resources

    • Instructional Methods

      • Audio/Video conferencing
      • Disscusion forum/Discussion Board
      • Embedded Multimedia
      • Online assignment submission
      • Podcasting/Leacture capture
      • Streaming Multimedia
      • Web links

    • Online Materials

      • Resources and Links
      • Printable format materials
      • Online Assessment
      • Audio-Video streaming

Entry Requirements

You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:

CUR-EDE222-Professional Studies in Teaching and Assessment in Junior Primary , or CUR-EDE322-Professional Studies in Supporting Learning Environments with Three to Five Year Olds

Others

You don't have to enrol in this subject if you have completed EDE102 Pedagogy and Play (Birth-5 years) as they are considered equivalents.

Special requirements

No special requirements

This subject examines the value of play in early childhood pedagogy, and invites students to become advocates for children’s right to play. The subject explores historical and current theoretical perspectives on pedagogy and play, and offers opportunities to discuss examples of current local, national, and international play-based curriculum in learning settings from birth - 8 years. The subject emphasises planning of physical environments for play and includes a focus on the outdoors as a pedagogical space. Students will learn to plan with intent, observe, interpret, and assess children’s learning through play. Students will critically review contemporary issues impacting on time and opportunity for play, and explore possibilities for and approaches to establishing shared understandings between educators and families on the value of play in children’s learning.

Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.

Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.

  • Assignment 1 - Investigation (50%)
  • Assignment 2 - Essay (50%)

Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a subject.

View textbooks

Related degrees

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)