Unit 4

Unit 4
Children & Play
D1 & D2
These are 3 different settings where children could play * Going to the local park age group: 3 – 6 years * Playing at home age group: 0 – 6 years * Nursery age group: 3 – 5 years

D3 & D4
At the local park the child would use physical play. They would use this because they would be running, jumping and moving around using physical energy. If the children play football it shows there have balance as they have to stay on their feet to be able to kick the ball. They also will need to use coordination skills to make sure the ball goes in the right direction this type of play would be cooperative play which is child playing together to accomplish a task. Also in the local park they could pretend that the climbing frame is a pirate ship and the child could be a pirate. When playing at home the child could do creative play, which is a child, using different materials to create something. There will use fine motor skills to cut out magazines to make a beautiful collage. There will need to be careful when cutting with scissors but their will need adult supervision so that they don’t cause an injury. This type of play would be solitary play which is a child playing alone with toys and does not interact with any other children.

D5 I have chosen the Vygotsky theory which is related Cooperative play would take place at home. A child could act out in the role play area this will be a learning opportunity as their will be encouraged to play and talk their friends

D6 & C1 Setting | Activity that provides challenge and understanding | Resources needed and explain why it helps risk and challenge | Local park | At the local park children could play on the climbing frame and pretend to be a princess castle. * The child could fall off the climbing frame * The climbing frame might be slippy if it wet * The children might bump into each other | You will need adult supervision at all times so that the children know that you are keeping an eye on them and keeping them safe. This will boost their confidence up. You need to check the climbing frame is suitable for the child for example if it is big the children will find it hard to climb and get annoyed with themselves. | Playing at home | At home children would do cooking but with adult supervision * The child might burn themselves * The child could get poorly if the food it not cooked probably | You will need adult supervision at all times when you are cooking with a child. The ingredients must be in date. The adult could give the child little jobs to do like mixing or decorating the buns so that the child does not feel left out. If the child is standing on a chair their will need to be careful so that their not fall and cause an injury. | Nursery | | |

D7
When working with children between 0 to 5 years you must include all of the children who have a special need even if their need help and support from other professionals and children who come from a different culture. The practitioners should take this into account when planning activities and working with the children. “Arrange activities to encourage children with special needs to participate fully with other children this might mean providing ramps for wheelchairs users” (Meggitt C 2008 p198)

B1
Children learn benefits from risk and challenge. The most important thing for a child is to have independence. Children will learn independence whilst they are playing and will learn about what the risks are but these will undertaken everyday for example road safety you can teach children how to follow the green cross code “ You must also make sure that you are acting as a good role model this means waiting for the green man shows before crossing and walking rather than running across the road” (Tassoni P 2007 p118) the adult could show them a few road safety signs so that their aware of them this will be with the older children their might act out what if something happen if you ignore the signs. Also their will need to learn about the different types of weather for example when it is sunny the child needs to wear sun cream so that their don’t get burn and when it is snowing their will need to wear hat, scarf and gloves so that their are warm and comfortable. Children will need to know the difference between talking to strangers and the people who there know such as nursery staff and family members. A way of doing you could act out in the role play area and pretend to be a policeman.

B2
When children are exploring and investing through play the adult could get involved so that their learn about the outdoors little more. When a group of children are exploring a particular area and you are giving them advice you will need to think about whether they still want you around. “ Children require their own time and space in order to play” (Tassoni P 2007 p231) by doing this you are allowing the children to learn and develop their exploring and investing skills. There might need resources to help you could have wooden blocks but you will need check if it is safe for the children to use. The resources that you are providing needs to be fun for the children. When the children are exploring they like to ask adults questions this will give the children the confidence to speak out more often the children likes it when adults get involved and go down to the child’s level so that their know that you are listening and use a friendly and calm voice when speaking to children. When the children are outdoors there will need adult supervision at all times even if this is watching them from the side of the playground. The most important thing when a child is exploring is to praise and smile lots when they have found something interesting this could be finding a small creature like a worm.

A1
Theories of play helps understand children’s play as a practitioner you will understand play in more detail so there can expand on their own knowledge of play and learning than you can provide for the children in the setting. If I did not know about the theories of play I would not be able to help the children develop their skills whilst there are playing with others. If I am aware of the types of play and the theories this will be a learning opportunity for me as well as encouraging the children to develop their skills even more by letting them use the role play area to express their knowledge of play. The best way for the practitioner is understand the play theories so that they know what to do with the children this will allow children to play and they will understand more from playing.

A*
The role of the adult is to provide activities for the children to play with but it needs to be suitable for their age range. To make sure there are safe and secure and I can put this into practise whilst I am on placement and I can learn more about risks and challenges also why is play important for children. Observing children is a good way to see how children are behaving and developing their skills also it shows what the child like and dislikes than you can do activities based on what their enjoy the most. At placement I have done 2 observations on children. Some students their “ behaviour can change when they know that they are being watched” (Tassoni P 2007 p 219) When I am setting up activities or getting out the equipment I have to make sure that there is plenty of room. Also check the toys to see if there are broken and remove them immediately. You could put the children’s work on display so that the parents can see what their child is doing at nursery. My role as a practitioner is to support children in different types of play and providing equipment. One way I could be a better practitioner is to support children in the activities a lot more

D8 - Bibliography
Meggitt C 2008 Cache level 2 childcare & education Hodder Education
Tassoni P 2007 Cache level 2 childcare & education Heinmann

Bibliography: Meggitt C 2008 Cache level 2 childcare & education Hodder Education Tassoni P 2007 Cache level 2 childcare & education Heinmann