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Introduction to Play Pedagogy in the Primary Classroom - Part 1 - ppt slides

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Introduction to Play Pedagogy in the Primary Classroom - Part 1 - ppt slides

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Introduction to Play Pedagogy Part 1 Reording Slides

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Introduction to Play Pedagogy in the Primary School - Part 2 - ppt slides

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Introduction to Play Pedagogy in the Primary School - Part 2 - ppt slides

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Introduction to Play Pedagogy Part 2 Reording Slides

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Role of the Adult: Planning for Play - ppt slides

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Role of the Adult: Planning for Play - ppt slides

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Spotlight on Play: The Creative Zone - ppt slides

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Spotlight on Play: The Creative Zone - ppt slides

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Spotlight on Play The Creative Zone Recording Slides

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Spotlight on Play: The Social Zone - ppt slides

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Spotlight on Play: The Social Zone - ppt slides

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Spotlight on Play The Social Zone Recording Slides

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Spotlight on Play: The Discovery Zone - ppt slides

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Spotlight on Play: The Discovery Zone - ppt slides

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Spotlight on Play The Discovery Zone Recording Slides

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Role of the Adult: Integrating Play Through Your Day - ppt slides

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Role of the Adult: Integrating Play Through Your Day - ppt slides

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Integrating Play Through Your Day Recording Slides

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The Role of the Adult: Observations - ppt slides

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The Role of the Adult: Observations - ppt slides

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The Role of the Adult: Documenting Learning - ppt slides

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The Role of the Adult: Documenting Learning - ppt slides

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Introduction to Play Pedagogy for Student Teachers - ppt slides

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Introduction to Play Pedagogy for Student Teachers - ppt slides

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Introduction to Play Pedagogy for Student Teachers ppt Recording Slides

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Introduction to Play Pedagogy  for Probationer Teachers - ppt slides

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Introduction to Play Pedagogy  for Probationer Teachers - ppt slides

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Introduction to Play Pedagogy for Probationers Recording Slides

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Promoting Numeracy & Mathematics Through Play

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Promoting Numeracy & Mathematics Through Play

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Promoting Numeracy & Mathematics Through Play

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This Sway has been designed to support practitioners in promoting the development of numeracy and mathematics through play within the Curriculum for Excellence at Early and First Levels, in line with

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This Sway has been designed to support practitioners in promoting the development of reading through play within the Curriculum for Excellence at Early and First Levels, in line with the guidance set

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The Role of the Adult: Documenting the Learning PL

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The Role of the Adult: Documenting the Learning PL

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Documenting Learning 17th March 2026 (4)

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The Role of the Adult: Integrating Play Through Your Day PL

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The Role of the Adult: Integrating Play Through Your Day PL

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The Role of the Adult: Planning for Play PL

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The Role of the Adult: Planning for Play PL

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Education Scotland: Sharing Highly Effective Practice, Play Pedagogy in P1 & P2

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Education Scotland: Sharing Highly Effective Practice, Play Pedagogy in P1 & P2

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Education Scotland: Numeracy Professional Learning Resources (links to RtA)

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Education Scotland: Numeracy Professional Learning Resources (links to RtA)

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Education Scotland is a Scottish Government executive agency responsible for supporting quality and improvement in Scottish education.

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Full introduction to Meta Skills Land animation

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Park PS

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D&G meta-skills in classroom practice (1)

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The Role of the Adult: Integrating Play Through Your Day

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The Role of the Adult: Integrating Play Through Your Day

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PowerPoint slides from Play Pedagogy online PL session 30th September 2025

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Integrating Play into Your Day 30th Sept 2025

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Thank you to Victoria Fitzsimmons, Dalbeattie Primary, for sharing Discovery Play play in action in P1.

This was shared at 'Spotlight on Play: The Discovery Zone' PL online twilight, March 2025.

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This tool has been developed by a team based at the Research Centre for Experiential Education (Leuven University - Belgium) under the supervision of Dr. Ferre Laevers. The tool focuses on two central

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This document is intended for use as a tool for reassuring and guiding adults to observe play skills development in all indoor and outdoor learning environments and spaces.

This framework is designed to:

· aid intentional and responsive planning for Continuous Provision,

· support the enhancement of areas,

· enable adults to support the development of learners’ knowledge, understanding and skills,

· facilitate meaningful observations, by detailing play skills development,

· provide useful and progressive vocabulary for adults to enhance written observational notes.

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SKILLS PROGRESSION GRIDS FINAL DRAFT DOC up to date Dec 2025

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Play as Learning (PaL): The Discovery Zone

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Play as Learning (PaL): The Discovery Zone

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Play as Learning (PaL): The Discovery Zone

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The Play as Learning (PaL) document has been designed by the D&G Play Pedagogy Team to support all adults working with Early Years learners (0-8 years) across Early and First Level within the Dumfries

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The Play as Learning (PaL) document has been designed by the D&G Play Pedagogy Team to support all adults working with Early Years learners (0-8 years) across Early and First Level within the Dumfries

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Play as Learning (PaL): The Creative Zone

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Play as Learning (PaL): The Creative Zone

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Play as Learning (PaL): The Creative Zone

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The Play as Learning (PaL) document has been designed by the D&G Play Pedagogy Team to support all adults working with Early Years learners (0-8 years) across Early and First Level within the Dumfries

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Realising the Ambition: Being Me  - Parent's Information Leaflet

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Realising the Ambition: Being Me  - Parent's Information Leaflet

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Realising the Ambition: Being Me  - Parent's Information Leaflet

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Realising the Ambition: Being Me  - Parent's Information Leaflet

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Embedding Froebelian Principles at Brydekirk

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Embedding Froebelian Principles at Brydekirk

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Jennifer Primrose, Brydekirk Primary

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Ellaine Monk, New Abbey Primary

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Ellaine Monk New Abbey Poster for Uni (2)

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Andrea Mallaby, Play Pedagogy PT

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Andrea 06062024063848_Froebel Poster  final draft (2)

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Developing a Block Play Area in Primary 1

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Developing a Block Play Area in Primary 1

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Linsey Loughran, Laurieknowe Primary

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Block Play in Primary 1- Linsey Loughran

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Sheelagh McKinna, Kelloholm Primary

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Froebelian Principles in Action through Transition to P1

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Froebelian Principles in Action through Transition to P1

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Sabine Haynes, Dalry Primary

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Leanne McCall, Castle Douglas Primary

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Froebel Poster - Leanne McCall Castle Douglas

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Pauline Baillie, Park Primary

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Block Play: A Tale of Two Classrooms - Kelloholm Primary

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Block Play: A Tale of Two Classrooms - Kelloholm Primary

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Thank you to Sheelagh McKinna, Kelloholm Primary, for sharing the developments made in Block Play in P1 and P1/2.

This was shared at 'The Building Blocks of Play in Action' February inset day 2025.

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The Power of Pupil Voice in Play, Hardgate Primary

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The Power of Pupil Voice in Play, Hardgate Primary

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Thank you to Joanna Wright, Hardgate Primary, for showcasing some Child-Led Learning observations from P1-3. This was shared at 'The Building Blocks of Play in Action' February inset day 2025.

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Hardgate - The Power of Pupil Voice in Play

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Adult-Initiated Learning - Wigtown Primary

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Adult-Initiated Learning - Wigtown Primary

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Thank you to Amy McClymont, Wigtown Primary, for sharing the developments in Adult-Initiated Learning: tasks and provocations in P1-3.

This was shared at 'The Building Blocks of Play in Action' February inset day 2025.

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Developing Play at Eastriggs Primary School

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Developing Play at Eastriggs Primary School

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Thank you to Bruce Carr, Eastriggs Primary, for sharing how Play has been developed in P1.

This was shared at 'The Building Blocks of Play in Action' February inset day 2025.

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Sway: Create and share interactive reports, presentations, personal stories, and more.

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Sway is an easy-to-use digital storytelling app for creating interactive reports, presentations, personal stories and more. Its built-in design engine helps you create professional designs in minutes. With Sway, your images, text, videos, and other multimedia all flow together in a way that enhances your story. Sway makes sure your creations look great on any screen.

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Playful Minds, Confident Voices: How Play Transforms EAL Learners at St. Andrew’s Primary

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Playful Minds, Confident Voices: How Play Transforms EAL Learners at St. Andrew’s Primary

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Thank you to Annette Barnett and Nicola Luebke, St Andrew's Primary, for sharing their story of Play Pedagogy and the impact it has had on three of their EAL learners.

This was shared at 'The Building Blocks of Play in Action' February inset day 2025.

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Framework for Inclusion – Getting It Right for All Learners

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Click the links within the links within the Contents to take you direct to the documents and links within that section.

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Welcome Video: Dr Gillian Brydson, Director of Skills Education and Learning

National Practice Guidance - Realising the Ambition: Bering me

D&G Play Pedagogy Rationale and Strategy

Why Play?

Froebel

D&G The Building Blocks of Play

The Contexts for Play: Learning, Teaching and Assessment (triangle) Model

How Good Is Our Play? Self-evaluation Tool

Continuous Provision

Continuous Provision - Preparing for Play Indoors

Continuous Provision - Preparing for Play Outdoors

Risk Assessments

Planning for Play

Planning for Play: Adult-Led and Adult-Initiated Learning

Planning for Play: Meta-skills

The Role of the Adult: Quality Observations

The Role of the Adult and Learner: Documenting Learning

Play beyond the Early Years

Inclusion: Meeting the Needs of All Learners

Children's Rights

Supporting EAL Learners through Play

Involving Parents and Transitions

Other PL Links and Webinars

D&G Play Pedagogy Practitioner Research

Suggested Reading

Suggested Videos

Glossary & FAQs

Your Feedback

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First Steps - Amnesty International

For children aged 3-5 years

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UNICEF First Steps to Rights Book

For children aged 3-7 years

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Twinkl Resource

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Curiosity cubes are great to encourage your child’s imagination. Discover fun ideas for you and your child to help you make and use curiosity cubes.

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Contexts for Play: Learning, Teaching and Assessment (triangle) Model

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Contexts for Play: Learning, Teaching and Assessment (triangle) Model

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This is the same model as above, with a white background.

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White Copy of Contexts for Play Triangle Model (1)

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Play Pedagogy: Finding Your Why? Presentation

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Play Pedagogy: Finding Your Why? Presentation

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D&G Resources to support SDS Meta-skills Progression Framework

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D&G Resources to support SDS Meta-skills Progression Framework

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Thank you to the following schools who have shared photographs of children demonstrating the Meta-skills in action:

Brownhall Primary

Heathhall Primary

Hecklegirth Primary

New Abbey Primary

Park Primary

St Andrew’s RC Primary

St Columba’s RC Primary

St Joseph’s Primary

St Teresa’s Primary

STEM Team – Karen Creighton

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D&G Resources to support SDS Meta-skills Progression Framework June 2025 (4)

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The defining characteristics of play hold clues to play’s value in children’s development.

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Please complete the attached pre-visit questionnaire and email to Play Pedagogy PT, using the email addresses below, should you wish support with any aspect of developing Play Pedagogy.

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D&G Play Pedagogy Recorded Professional Learning 2026

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D&G Play Pedagogy Recorded Professional Learning 2026

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Examples of different types of Provocations.

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Realising the Ambition: Being Me Challenge Questions

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Realising the Ambition: Being Me Challenge Questions

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Realising the Ambition Overview   Part 2

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Education Scotland Play Pedagogy Toolkit

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Education Scotland Play Pedagogy Toolkit

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Realising the Ambition Overview    Part 1

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Skills Development Scotland

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The Pedagogy Podcast - Education Scotland

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The Pedagogy Podcast - Education Scotland

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Learning Through Play in the Early Years: A Resource Book

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Learning Through Play in the Early Years: A Resource Book

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Education Scotland: Learning Through Play

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Education Scotland: Learning Through Play

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Links to:

Play Strategy Scotland: Our Vision

Play and Learn

Outdoor Safety for Kids

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Education Scotland is a Scottish Government executive agency responsible for supporting quality and improvement in Scottish education.

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Creative STAR Learning | I'm a teacher, get me OUTSIDE here!

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There's almost 70 blog posts with ideas and suggestions to support you to develop your literacy provision outside, be this in the early years or primary school. Most are open-ended and can be easily adjusted to the level at which you work.

Note: for some visitors to this website, the photos in each blog post take an age to upload. They will appear. Be patient. Also some of the blog posts need updating. This will happen in due course.

The freebies

Getting started

Reading and exploring books outside

Writing and mark making outside

Talking and listening outside

Environmental considerations and literacy

Resource-based literacy explorations

10+ ideas for using story stones outside. This is a mixed page with lots of suggestions for primary classes, not just early years.

Story stones and thinking skills. The value of abstract designs and using the children's own stones. Story stones need to be more than just nouns that limit the possibilities.

Stones. The original blog post about using painted stones outside.

Fairy gardens and literacy. A miniature world such as a fairy garden can be an ideal setting for children to create their own settings and narratives. Although the blog post is EY in focus, this is relevant for all primary ages too.

Creating ongoing dialogue and change with children. The use of a teddy bear as a context for exploring literacy and giving children a voice to express their preferences and interests.

Wooden spoons project. An interdisciplinary project that involves designing a wooden spoon character and then writing about it. Very simple and transferable.

Alphabet and letter work

Alphabet mirror letters. One ASN class strung and hung these for another ASN class to find. A quirky challenge owing to the ability of the mirrors to blend into the environment.

Letters from sticks. Using sticks with an ASN class to explore making letters outside. Requested by a child.

Sticky letters. Use of double-sided sticky tape to create letters with children for using on a dry day outside. Completed with a small ASN class (I think the preparation would be too much for a regular size of class unless the children did the work of putting on the sticky tape following an outline).

Introducing letters outside: creating letters from natural materials but with an extra twist.

Looking for more literacy resources and ideas

Why not attend one of my webinars or outdoor training courses, listed on the home page... you get lots of additional handouts via a password protected resources.

Buy my multi-award winning Dirty Teaching book.

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There's almost 70 blog posts with ideas and suggestions to support you to develop your literacy provision outside, be this in the early years or primary school. Most are open-ended and can be...

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Outdoor Learning and Play Charity | Learning through Landscapes

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Learning through Landscapes is the leading UK charity dedicated to outdoor learning and play for children across the world.

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Developing Outdoor Continuous Provision  - CPD Session 4 (2023/24)

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Developing Outdoor Continuous Provision  - CPD Session 4 (2023/24)

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Ideas and inspiration to help guide and support you to set up provocations and enhancements to Continuous Provision. All examples are of our homegrown classrooms and spaces in Dumfries and Galloway.

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Provocations are planned and organised by adults to capture interest and provide learning experiences which encourage children's engagement.

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Please download and amend to reflect your own setting.

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Play Pedagogy School Policy template (2)

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Please use the search bar in the top right hand corner of the screen to access what you are looking for by typing in a key word or phrase.

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Quality Observations - CPD Session 3 (2023-24)

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Quality Observations - CPD Session 3 (2023-24)

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The Building Blocks of Play in action - Park Primary School

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The Building Blocks of Play in action - Park Primary School

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Sway: Create and share interactive reports, presentations, personal stories, and more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sway is an easy-to-use digital storytelling app for creating interactive reports, presentations, personal stories and more. Its built-in design engine helps you create professional designs in minutes. With Sway, your images, text, videos, and other multimedia all flow together in a way that enhances your story. Sway makes sure your creations look great on any screen.

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The Role of the Adult ECHOES the needs of the learners through:

Engagement

Challenge

Help

Offer of appropriate support/materials

Exploring capabilities

Supporting problem solving

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Observations - WHAT to observe and HOW to structure/record observations 

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Observations - WHAT to observe and HOW to structure/record observations 

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This sway includes 'home-grown’ examples of observations of Child-Led Learning.

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Quality Observations - WHAT to observe and HOW to record/structure observations

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Quality Observations of children during Child-Led Learning are formative assessments that provide all stakeholders with valuable information about children's interests and social, emotional and cognit

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Observing Young Children - Dr Stella Louis

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Observing Young Children - Dr Stella Louis

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D&G Meta-skills Second Level 'I can...' statements

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D&G Meta-skills Second Level 'I can...' statements

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Second Level Meta-skills statements adapted from Skills Scotland Meta-skills framework.

Potential uses:

tracking whole class/individual learner skills progression

development of skills-based vocabulary

display

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A floor plan example of a classroom showing Social, Discovery and Creative zoning.

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Key Vocabulary for Recording Observations

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Key Vocabulary for Recording Observations

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This document is intended to support the adult writing an observation, to select the most appropriate vocabulary to record the social, emotional and cognitive developments taking place during Child-Led Learning, reflecting on:

The What?

The So What? and

The ‘Now What?’

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Key Vocabulary for Recording Observations

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'Meta-skills and Me' Meta-skills development through Child-Led Learning, Online Journal example

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'Meta-skills and Me' Meta-skills development through Child-Led Learning, Online Journal example

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An example of how Book Creator can be used to document Meta-skills development through Child-led learning.

Included is an example of how an observation can be recorded to show skills development.

Teacher and pupil account required to create, remix and collaborate on learning journal.

https://app.bookcreator.com/

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We have been learning about Meta-skills and how we develop these as we learn through Play.

In this journal we are documenting the development of our Meta-skills, as we lead our own learning through the varied experiences and interactions within our Play-based environment.

Insert examples of Meta-skills development through Child-Led learning here:

Photo of child and activity/task

Link to 'I can...' statement/s

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An example of how Book Creator can be used to document Meta-skills development through Child-led learning.

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All 12 Meta-skills display cards on one page

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Meta-skills display cards adapted from Skills Scotland Meta-skills framework.

Potential uses:

development of skills-based vocabulary

display

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D&G Meta-skills First Level 'I can...' statements

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D&G Meta-skills First Level 'I can...' statements

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First Level Meta-skills statements adapted from Skills Scotland Meta-skills framework.

Potential uses:

tracking whole class/individual learner skills progression

development of skills-based vocabulary

display

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D&G Meta-skills Early Level 'I can...' statements

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D&G Meta-skills Early Level 'I can...' statements

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Early Level Meta-skills statements adapted from Skills Scotland Meta-skills framework.

Potential uses:

tracking whole class/individual learner skills progression

development of skills-based vocabulary

display

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Please download to edit

Play Pedagogy Parent Information booklet template

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The complexity of Childhood Transitions (from BtA 2020)

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The complexity of Childhood Transitions (from BtA 2020)

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Vertical and horizontal transitions throughout childhood. How do we support these in our settings?

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Ipad Pedagogy of Play - Step By Step Guide

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Ipad Pedagogy of Play - Step By Step Guide

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A free online guide with links to CfE and Realising the Ambition (2020) EY guidance. It has excellent ideas and links of how to use iPad technologies and apps to enhance Play Pedagogy in our classrooms.

Watch the launch video on YouTube here: SBC Early Years: iPad Pedagogy of Play - Live Webinar