#4: The Importance of Play
Featuring Dr. Jeffrey Trawick-Smith
This e-clip is a winner of a 2011 Telly Award!
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Research shows that play has an essential role in children's learning. In e-clip #4, Dr. Jeffrey Trawick-Smith of Eastern Connecticut State University discusses the importance of play and advises early childhood professionals to look at several elements of children's play, including engagement in make-believe play, social interaction during play, and play complexity. Teachers who enhance children's play can help promote children's development in a variety of domains.
Discussion Questions for Early Childhood Teachers and Administrators
- What is our philosophy on the role of play in children's learning?
- What is our philosophy regarding the role of the teacher in children's play? When should adults become involved in children's play?
- How do we support children's make-believe play?
- What strategies can we use to facilitate peer interactions among children engaged in play?
- How can we support children to engage in more complex play?
- Elkind, D. (2007). The power of play: Learning what comes naturally . Philadelphia, PA: Da Capo Press.
- Fromberg, D. & D. Bergen (Eds.). (2006). Play from birth to twelve: Contexts, perspectives, and meanings. New York: Routeledge.
- Frost, J.L., Wortham, S.C., & Reifel, S. (Eds.). (2007).
Play and child development (3rd ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill.
- Hirsh-Pasek, K., Golinkoff, R.M., Berk, L.E., & Singer, D. (2009). A mandate for playful learning in preschool: Presenting the evidence. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
- Singer, D., Golikoff, R., & Hirsh-Pasek, K. (2006). Play = learning: How play motivates and enhances children's cognitive and social-emotional growth. New York: Oxford University Press.
- Van Hoorn, J., Monighan Nourot, P., Scales, B., & Rodriguez Alward, K. (2007). Play at the center of the curriculum (4th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill.
- Zigler, E.F., Singer, D.G., & Bishop-Josef, S.J. (2004). Children's play: The roots of reading. Washington, DC: Zero to Three Press.
Additional Web Resources on Play
Credits for The Importance of Play
Coordinator: Ken Measimer
Assistant: Kerin Jaros-Dressler
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