26 Shifting pedagogical practice barriers

What is perhaps the greatest challenge is shifting pedagogical practice within a school environment if a play-based approach has not been implemented previously or extensively. Some schools place less emphasis on play pedagogies which leads to a devaluing of play (Stagnitti et al 2015). If a play-based approach is not fully understood by colleagues and parents then there is the possibility of it being undervalued as a legitimate form of learning (Nolan & Paatsch 2018). This casts doubt on the value of assessing play. Finding ways to document the learning that occurs during play helps teachers to validate their work and supports them with their accountability for students learning.

Read, look, or listen

What does practice reveal?

Teachers need to consider how they can support parents/families to understand and value the learning that comes from play in a play-based learning program. This means being thoughtful, deliberate and purposeful in the way the information is utilised in discussions with families. In the video below, a teacher outlines how she and her colleagues demonstrate learning and student progression to parents. Sharing information with parents can assist in building their understanding of the learning that is occurring in play and emphasise that play is purposeful with goals and expectations that students can achieve.

In the video below, a Foundation teacher outlines how she and her colleagues demonstrate learning and student progression to parents. Sharing information with parents can assist in building their understanding of the learning that is occurring in play and emphasise that play is purposeful with goals and expectations that students can achieve. Watch the short clip (3:37) below to hear about different ways that teachers can use to communicate the assessment of play-based learning to parents.

Connecting with parents about assessment (3:37)

Engage and extend

To embed your understanding of the challenges found in play-based teaching, create a two-column list. In the first column write down any challenges you have experienced or observed in this area. In the other second column write down any possible solutions to that challenge or whether there are other ways of approaching the play-based learning that move it away from challenge towards opportunity.

You can download this word document template as a starting point with your list creation.  Reflective teaching activity – challenges for assessing learning template