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Emergent Curriculum Chart for Video Assignment 2017

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Philosophy | Toddler Town Daycare in Chicago and Evanston

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At Toddler Town our philosophy and beliefs is to help children develop, grow and learn skills to help them achieve more in life.

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Importance of Play 5 Things to Know 2017

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Barblett L, K. M.-P. (2016). The Pushes and Pulls of Pedagogy in the Early Years: Competing knowledges and the erosion of play-based learning. Australian Journal of Early Childhood.

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Barblett L, K. M.-P. (2016). The Pushes and Pulls of Pedagogy in the Early Years: Competing knowledges and the erosion of play-based learning. Australian Journal of Early Childhood.

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This e-clip is a winner of a 2011 Telly Award!

View a transcript of this video: English; Spanish.
Please help us make better videos!Tell us what you like about this video and how you plan to use it.

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.

This e-clip can be downloaded from iTunes U.

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The Importance of Play This e-clip is a winner of a 2011 Telly Award! View a transcript of this video: English; Spanish. Please help us make better videos! Tell us what you like about this video and how you plan to use it. Research shows that play has an essential role in children's learning.

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Importance of Play in Early Childhood Education | Fisher Price

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Children the world over, from those living with the most sophisticated families in big cities to those living in remote villages in developing countries, spend much time 'just playing.' Of course, only grown-ups would put the word 'just' in the previous sentence, implying that somehow play is an indulgence only the very young are entitled to and that nothing much is happening when children play.

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Baby chimps playing at Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania.

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Why is Play Important? Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development, Creative Development | Education.com

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During play, children increase their social competence and emotional maturity. This article outlines other chief reasons why play is so vital for kids.

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Early learning: 10 reasons why play is important | Early Words Matter | National Literacy Trust

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Play is crucial for developing children’s communication and language skills, as well as supporting their learning and wellbeing. Explore 10 key benefits of play alongside helpful tools and insights.

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Play is an essential part of every child's life and is vital for the enjoyment of childhood as well as social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.

When children are asked about what they think is important in their lives, playing and friends is usually at the top of the list.
Defining play
How do we define what 'playing' actually means?

Our Charter for Children's Play describes play as: 'what children and young people do when they follow their own ideas and interests, in their own way, and for their own reasons.'

Play has also frequently been described as 'what children and young people do when they are not being told what to do by adults'.

Having time and space to play gives children the opportunity to meet and socialise with their friends, keeps them physically active, and gives the freedom to choose what they want to do.

Research shows that play has many benefits for children, families and the wider community, as well as improving health and quality of life. Recent research suggests that children's access to good play provision can:

increase their self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-respect

improve and maintain their physical and mental health

give them the opportunity to mix with other children

allow them to increase their confidence through developing new skills

promote their imagination, independence and creativity

offer opportunities for children of all abilities and backgrounds to play together

provide opportunities for developing social skills and learning

build resilience through risk taking and challenge, problem solving, and dealing with new and novel situations

provide opportunities to learn about their environment and the wider community.

Evidence is also available that outlines wider benefits of play provision for families and communities, suggesting that:

parents can feel more secure knowing that their children are happy, safe and enjoying themselves

families benefit from healthier, happier children

buildings and facilities used by play services are frequently seen as a focal point for communities

it offers opportunities for social interaction for the wider community and supports the development of a greater sense of community spirit, promoting social cohesion

public outside spaces have an important role in the everyday lives of children and young people, especially as a place for meeting friends

parks and other green spaces are popular with adults taking young children out to play and for older children and young people to spend time together.

Summaries of the research and evidence of the positive benefits of play are discussed in detail in Play for a Change.
Children's right to play is a human right
On 1 February 2013 the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child adopted a General Comment that clarifies for governments worldwide the meaning and importance of Article 31 of the Convention on the Right of the Child.

A General Comment is an official statement that elaborates on the meaning of an aspect of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child that seems to require further interpretation or emphasis. The aim of the General Comment is to raise the importance of an Article and increase accountability among countries that have signed up to the Convention.

The  International Play Association  (IPA) provided evidence to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child that has persuaded them there is need to clarify Article 31 - this clarification is made through the publication of a General Comment. The IPA has taken a lead role in the development of the General Comment.
Download General Comment 17 on Article 31 Download summary of General Comment 17 on Article 31

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Play is an essential part of every child's life and is vital for the enjoyment of childhood as well as social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. When children are asked about what they think is important in their lives, playing and friends is usually at the top of the list.