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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2015 - 2016

Module Title
Module Code
School

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

This module builds on Play and Learning 1 and enables students to further develop their understanding of the processes of play and learning for babies, toddlers and young children. Students consider the benefits for babies, toddlers and young children of engaging in a range of play experiences, both self-sustained and supported. Students explore ECE curriculum models which integrate play and develop their ability to design and support play experiences. They extend their knowledge of their role in play interactions and gain experience and knowledge of how to sustain and support play in a variety of contexts and with different children. Students’ developing understanding of play is supported in the module by consistent work on documenting, observing and assessing play as well as learning how to support children who find it hard to play. The key role of language in developing social play is also examined.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop a Pedagogy of Play
2. Identify strategies for extending all children’s play.
3. Critique the quality of play interactions
4. Demonstrate the ability to document children’s play
5. Apply observation and assessment strategies in relation to children’s play.
6. Choose appropriate methods for helping children with play difficulties.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture12No Description
Workshop12No Description
Assessment Feedback60No Description
Independent Study41No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

1
Children’s participation in different forms of play: What are the benefits? How to increase participation for all children?

2
Play, children’s creative thinking and creative expression

3
An integrated approach to play; Play as the basis of the curriculum in ECE settings

4
Extending children’s play through sensitive adult interventions

5
Play as a methodology to support all children’s learning and development: Aistear Guidelines on Play

6
Play and technology: Different levels of integration

7
Observation, assessment and documentation of children’s play

8
Play , playfulness and the development of learning dispositions 2

9
Developing a play pedagogy

10
Play Interactions..the role of language

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

  • Janet Moyles: 2005, The Excellence of Play, 3rd, Open University Press, 0335240941
  • Wood, E.: 2013, Play, Learning and the Early Childhood Curriculum, 3rd, Sage Publications,
  • Woods, A.: 2013, Child-initiated play and learning, planning for possibilities in the early years, 1st, David Fulton Publishers,
  • edited by David Whitebread: 2003, Teaching and learning in the early years, 1st, 18, RoutledgeFalmer, London, 0415280486
  • Fumoto, H., Robson, S., Greenfield, S., & Hargreaves, D.: 2012, Young children’s creative thinking, 1st, 11, Sage, London, 0857027328
  • Janet Moyles and Sian Adams; with Jill Evans... [et al.]: 2001, StEPS, 1st, Open University Press, Buckingham, 0335207170
  • Plowman, L., Stephen, C. and McPake, J.: 2010, Growing up with technology – young children learning in a digital world., 1st, 9, Routledge, UK, 0415468922
  • Broadhead, P.: 2004, Early years play and learning: Developing social skills and cooperation, Routledge Falmer, London,
Other Resources

21511, Report, Department of Educational Studies University of Oxford, 2002, Researching effective pedagogy in the early years, http://www.ioe.ac.uk/REPEY_research_report.pdf, 21512, Report, London: Institute of Education, 2003, The effective provision of pre-school education project: Findings from the pre-school period, http://www.cecde.ie/english/pdf/Vision%20into%20Practice/Taggart.pdf,
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