10 Student learning outcomes and teacher practice
Key ideas
- Student learning outcomes are supported by play-based teaching strategies
- Play-based approaches have affordances in different learning areas
- Students develop general capability skills through play-based approaches
- Environments and resources that foster play-based teaching and learning
The link between play and learning is well documented. Accordingly, play-based learning approaches provide a meaningful context for student learning and the development of general capabilities (Justice & Pullen, 2003; Korat et al., 2003; Nicolopoulou et al., 2006).
Play-based approaches are combinative; they privilege teaching strategies that educators use to enrich students’ learning, the environment, and available resources. Furthermore, teachers’ using play-based approaches must recognise the importance of understanding the characteristics of different learning areas. Children can develop greater conceptual understanding through active play in their environment, with the support of teachers. Teachers enrich children’s experiences while playing through verbal engagement, role-modelling, extensions, or the provision of diverse resources.
Active play and teacher’s strategies create opportunities for problem-solving and reasoning in different learning areas. Play based approaches provide opportunities for teachers to take their expert knowledge in discipline areas (e.g. such as mathematics, music or science) to create learning opportunities that draw children’s attention to specific concepts and knowledges. For example, box construction activities are full of mathematical concepts that can be explored through play; such as, size, surface, balance, and shape. When teachers ask discipline-specific questions during play, they actively draw the child’s attention to important foundational concepts.
Keep in mind
Play the below engaging with this chapter vodcast (1:27). As you listen to this chapter’s introductory information, discover how this chapter seeks to expand on teaching strategies, learning areas and the affordances in the environment that support children’s learning.
