Foundation
Degree
Level 5
Play and
Recreation
Analysing Play
Lecturer: Laura Griffiths
Lesson Aim
 The
aim of today's session is to discuss the
importance of analysing children's play.
Lesson Objective
 By
the end of today’s session you should
be able to….
 Identify
 Discuss
the different types of play
how and why practitioners need
to analyse children’s play.
Task: Types of play
 Play
can be categorised under many
headings.
 Using
your academic research skills, in small
groups identify, describe and analyse as many
types of play you can.
 Collate
group
your information and share with the
How do children learn?
 “Children
learn best when they are given the
appropriate responsibility, allowed to experiment,
make errors, decisions, and choices, and are
respected as autonomous learners”.
(Bruce 2011 p. 220)
How do children play?
 In
small groups create a spider diagram discussing
how children play.
 How
can all of your suggestions be categorised?
 Adult
directed play
 Adult initiated play
 Child initiated play
Adult Directed Play:

Adult led Play

This is the type of play where an adult will plan, organise
and show the children what they need to do.

The adult tells the children how to play and what to do. An
example of this could be a cooking activity.
Adult Directed Play:
 What
do you think the advantages of adult
directed play are?
 Allows
for higher risk taking
 Enables
 Helps
children to learn new skills
Language development
Adult Directed Play:
 What
do you think the disadvantages of
adult directed play are?
 Learning
is not always effective
 Learning
may be limited
Adult Directed Play:

Adult initiated play

This is where adults put out toys and or resources carefully
with intention to develop children in a certain way.

This type of play is carefully designed with the intention of a
child developing a particular skill that the adult thinks is
important for them.
Adult Directed Play:

Adult initiated play

What are the potential benefits of adult initiated play?

Encourages development of new concepts

Helps the learning process
Adult Directed Play:

Adult initiated play

What are the potential disadvantages of adult initiated
play?

Children may not grasp the skills expected.
Child Initiated Play:
 Child
initiated play if often referred to as
‘free play’
 This
is because children are free to choose the
resources and toys and choose how to play with
them.
 Child
initiated play varies according to the age
of the child.
Child Initiated Play:
 What
are the advantages of child
initiated play?

Children's emotional development is particularly
supported as the children are given the
opportunity to make their own decisions.

It supports their creativity.

Improves their social skills.
Child Initiated Play:
 What
are the disadvantages of child
initiated play?

Limitation of varied skills

Learning may become limited
The Balance:
 There
needs to be a balance between adult
directed play and child initiated play…..
 Why
do you think this?
How can we
analyse
children’s
play?
Observation
What is the
importance of
observing
children?
Observation
 The
main purpose of observing children is to gain
an understanding of a child’s learning. This can
then be used to inform our planning.
 Observation
allows adults to identify any changes
in a child’s behaviour and learning needs.
Observation

Practitioners have a key role in the process of children
learning though play HOWEVER for this to be successful
a practitioner must have knowledge of……

Where the child is in their development
Are there any learning concerns?
What areas of the play provisions is the child attracted
to?
Are they using the resources correctly?
Do they engage with peers?
Do they ask questions?
Are they showing an interest in leaning?






Observation
 Observation
 For
is not just looking
observation to be successful you need to…
 Listen
 Reflect
 Take
notes
References:
 Bruce,
T. (2001) Learning Through Play:
Babies Toddlers and the Foundation
Years. London: Hodder and Stoughton.
 Bruce,
T. (2011) Early Childhood
Education. 4th edn. Oxon: Hodder
Education.