Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102104

Coordinator Prathyusha Sanagavarapu Opens in new window

Description Play provides a foundation for children’s development, learning and wellbeing in the early years. An integral part of this subject will be the focus on inquiry, emphasising a critical approach to play and its pedagogical potential to facilitate children’s development and wellbeing. Various theoretical orientations will be considered in the study of play. Further, the subject provides guidelines to educators for implementing play based curriculum, an integral component of The Early Years Learning Framework as well as the Health and Physical Education curriculum in the school years. Students will apply their knowledge of theory and research to undertake a case study of a child and make recommendations for practice.

School Education

Discipline Teacher Education: Early Childhood

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Equivalent Subjects TEAC 7085 Play development and learning

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 1708 Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching Birth-5/Birth -12), 1783 Master of Teaching (Birth-5 Years/Birth-12 Years) or 6017 Diploma in Arts/Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching Birth-5/Birth-12).

Students enrolled in 6017 Diploma in Arts/Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching Birth-5/Birth-12) must have successfully completed 190 credit points (160 at Level 1 or higher).

Students enrolled in 1708 Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching Birth-5/Birth -12) must have successfully completed 160 credit points.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Evaluate the importance of play for children’s development, learning, health and wellbeing and their physical education.
2. Analyse the major theories and contemporary research relating to play, development and learning and the implications for early childhood educators. 
3. Explain the diversity in children’s play contexts, family values and practices and opportunities provided for children’s play and the relevance of these for planning children’s play in prior-to-school and school contexts.
4. Propose plans for children’s play, development and learning, including active play, movement activities and games.
5. Apply a case study approach to understanding children's play, development and learning

Subject Content

1. Contemporary perspectives on play. 
2. Classical and modern theories and research on play, development and learning and critique of developmentally and culturally appropriate play.
3. Play in a digital world.
4. Promoting health and physical education – being healthy, safe and active play, games, health-related physical activities, movement skills.
5. Diversity in play (age, gender, society, culture, socio-economic status, additional needs children).
6. Play for promoting holistic development (physical, cognitive, language, socio-emotional and spiritual developments).
7. Play and curriculum: Approaches to play-based curriculum.
8. Researching play, development and learning: A case study approach.
9. Play and pedagogy: Scaffolding play and appropriate adult and peer interventions.
10. Planning for play curriculum and environments: Documentation, planning and assessment of play and play environments

Inherent Requirements

Students must meet the Inherent Requirements for the Master of Teaching (Birth – 5 Years / Birth -12 Years).
The Master of Teaching (Birth – 5 Years / Birth – 12 Years) Inherent Requirements have been approved by Disability Services. The Inherent Requirements are currently available in the WSU Inherent Requirements website: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/ir/inherent_requirements/inherent_requirements_for_teaching_courses_postgraduate/master_of_teaching_birth_to_5_yearsbirth_to_12_years