The Importance of Play in Early Childhood Learning

Talking Teaching

Guests:

Dr Sarah Young is a Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Research in Effective Education in Early Childhood (REEaCh) Centre in the Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne.

Nicole Pilsworth is the Executive Manager, Early Learning at Gowrie Victoria and the Chair of the Victorian committee of Early Childhood Australia.

Description:

This episode explores the power of play in early childhood education. Learn how play supports brain development, enriches learning, and connects generations through new innovative projects. Learn practical strategies to enhance play in the educational setting without disrupting children's motivation, as well as how to navigate the challenges of new policy reforms and the rollout of universal funded three and four-year-old kindergarten in Victoria.

Links:

• Teacher participation in young children’s dramatic play - S Young, S Edwards, J Nuttall
• Examining early childhood teachers' attitudes and responses to superhero play - Megan Wiwatowski, Jane Page, Sarah Young
• The EDGE Study
• Gowrie Victoria
• A Continuum of Play-Based Learning: The Role of the Teacher in Play-Based Pedagogy and the Fear of Hijacking Play – Angela Pyle and Erika Danniels