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EPT124 Play and Learning (8)

Abstract

In this subject, students will learn theories of play and its value for young children's learning. An embedded practical experience in an early childhood setting will enable students to observe, describe and reflect on the activity of children participating in play based programs, the role of the teacher in implementing and evaluating learning based on their understanding of individual children’s interests and dispositions and the impact of physical spaces on play.
Students will develop and implement play based learning experiences and evaluate their planned experience, suggesting ways to improve and extend the learning of children engaged with the activity.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 2
InternalAlbury-Wodonga Campus
InternalBathurst Campus
InternalDubbo Campus
InternalWagga Wagga Campus
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: EPT124
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Education

Enrolment restrictions

Incompatible subject(s)
EMC203 EMC204

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to define the forms of play that young children engage with and explain how development and learning is supported by play;
  • be able to complete a series of journal entries that explores the role of the teacher in utilising play for learning in an early childhood setting;
  • be able to make detailed observations of children playing, recording the actions, interactions and responses of children and drawing links between the observations and theories;
  • be able to plan activities for children in an early childhood setting, implement them and evaluate the response to the activity, and their role in supporting children's learning through the activity; and,
  • be able to describe the use of space, materials and environment and discuss these aspects as elements that impact on children's learning.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • The theories of play
  • Planning to support play
  • Play and technology
  • Understanding and observing play

Work Place Learning

This subject contains a Compulsory Workplace Learning component of 10 days duration. Students will be placed for 10 distributed days in an early childhood setting (6 hours a day in each session). They will have set tasks to do while in the centre, focussing on the content of the on campus class each week while will include planning and implementing learning activities. They will also work to support their associate in tasks that involve the normal routines of an early childhood setting. This may include reading to children, working with small groups of children, setting up equipment, observing children’s responses to activities. Students will be supervised at all times and will be assessed by their university subject coordinator. This subject contains a Compulsory Workplace Learning component of 10 days duration. Students will be placed for 10 distributed days in an early childhood setting (6 hours a day in each session). They will have set tasks to do while in the centre, focussing on the content of the on campus class each week while will include planning and implementing learning activities. They will also work to support their associate in tasks that involve the normal routines of an early childhood setting. This may include reading to children, working with small groups of children, setting up equipment, observing children’s responses to activities. Students will be supervised at all times and will be assessed by their university subject coordinator.

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The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.