TASK 1:- ESSAY PLAN

Introduction • Define play (official definition) • Discuss aims and objectives of essay- what I propose reader to learn and state what will be covered.
Paragraph 1 – What is play? • Differentiate different types of play – identifying how play aids development and learning • Use evidence to support these theories (Kay & Macleod- Brudenell, 2008, p 197-199)
Paragraph 2 – Play from birth to three. • Integrate play types from paragraph one relevant from birth to aged three, explaining how they play (Kay & Macleod- Brudenell, 2008, p200-201) • Argue importance of play from birth for development and progression and submit examples
Paragraph 3- Play from three to six • Integrate play types from paragraph one relevant for three to six year olds • Discuss how government has recently encouraged nurseries to focus more on play (support this with Blackheath Nursery in London being threatened with termination of funds if they failed to reduce academic learning and increase play)
Paragraph 4- The role of adults and companions • Examine the role that adults play to aid development & how children learn from adults • Explain that adults playing with children teaches them life skills • Discuss whether their influences enhances social skills in presepation for school • Explain NHS’s push for more play from parent to child from birth
Conclusion- So, is play important? • Summarise main points from body of essay which highlight importance of play through research and evidence • Reiterate that playing forms constructive relationships and increases attention span and that children’s work is play (Child-Development-Guide.com, undated).

TASK 2- WRITING AN INTRODUCTION.
The Oxford Dictionary (2013) defines ‘Play’ as “engagement in an activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose”. Many practitioners however have contested this and insist that play is an essential component for learning and development (NICHED, 2005). In this essay, we will examine and explore the impact and role that Playing has on children. We will determine if Play influences social and psychological development and if doing so helps to form constructive and positive relationships. We will also identify the role that adults contribute to children when participating in play from birth to six.
TASK 3- THREE QUOTES. 1. According to Lindon (2002), “Children’s continued play supports all aspects of their development”. 2. Morris-Coole (2009) makes the point that “self-construction through playful manipulation can also be linked to the child learning through observing others in the environement” (Morris-Coole,2009, p44).

3. Whilst discussing the importance of playing, we shouldn’t forget that, “being able to play freely and spontaneously both on his or her own and with others contributes greatly to the child’s learning and development (Hughes & Frank (2008) in Kay & Macleod-Brudenell, 2008, p192).
TASK 4 – BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Elkind, D. (2009) Learning from play Montessori International Magazine, (issue 91, April/ June), pp 12-13
Lightfoot, L (2004) Nursery told: let children play more and study less or lose your state fund [online], available from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1476508/Nursery-told-let-children-play-more-and-study-less-or-lose-your-state-funds.html [accessed August 2013]
Linden, J. (2002) What is play? [online], available from http://www.ncb.org.uk/media/124824/no.3_what_is_play.pdf [Accessed July2013]
Macleod-Brudenell, I. & Kay, J. (2008, 2nd Ed.) Advanced Early Years Harlow: Heinemann
Morris-Coole, S. (2009) The serious business of play Montessori International Magazine, (issue 91, April/June), pp 44
NICHED. (2005) The importance of play [online], available from http://www.niched.org/importance_of_play.html [ Accessed July 2013] Simpson, J. (1989, 2nd Ed.) Oxford English Dictionary Oxford: Clarendon Press.