Play-based Learning in the Primary School

Play is an essential part of learning and development for children and is an increasingly important aspect of creative approaches to teaching and learning in primary education. This book demonstrates the value of play in all its different forms as a highly effective medium for teaching and learning across the curriculum. The authors explore how play can be used to increase engagement, motivation and fun in learning situations, examining the theoretical principles of play for learning, types of play for older children, planned and facilitating play-based learning, using thematic approaches when working with individuals, groups and whole classes, in addition to covering important teaching issues such as assessment, inclusion and transition out of primary education. This is recommended reading for students on primary initial teacher education courses including undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS), postgraduate (PGCE, SCITT), and employment-based routes into teaching, and also for practicing teachers wishing to enhance their own teaching. Mary Briggs is Mathematics and Education tutor at the University of Warwick. Alice Hansen is an educational consultant who works within a number of educational settings and national bodies developing continuing professional development for teachers.

Table of Contents:
What Is Play in the Primary or Elementary School? Play Principles for Primary or Elementary Aged Children Types of Play for Primary School Children Play in the Primary Curriculum The Role of the Teacher and Other Adults in Play Planning for Play Assessment of Play-Based Approaches to Learning Including All Learners in Play Transition into Secondary School

About the Author :
Mary Briggs is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Education, University of Warwick where she teaches across a range of the Institute′s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Mary was an Early Years, primary and SEN teacher for many years, including deputy and headship before working as an academic in the University sector. Alice Hansen is the Director of Children Count Ltd where she is educational consultant. Her work includes running professional development courses and events for teachers and teacher trainers, research and publishing. Alice has worked in education in England and abroad. Prior to her current work she was a primary mathematics tutor and the programme leader for a full-time primary PGCE programme at a large university in England.

Review :
′Play-based learning has long been accepted as a central part of learning in the Early Years but it is refreshing to have a book advocating its use throughout the primary years and beyond. This book clearly addresses the main issues about play that will concern many teachers: What does play look like for older pupils? How do I plan play-based learning? What is my role when children are playing? What sort of learning will take place? How will I assess it? The many case studies demonstrate how play-based learning can take place successfully in a variety of settings and across the curriculum. I think that teachers using this book will find their children more engaged, more independent and learning more successfully′ -Ashley Compton Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln