Children’s engagement in play is essential for their learning and development. Evidence suggests that play supports children’s development of language and cognition, physical skills, an understanding of art, science and technology, as well as supporting their social and emotional development, Vygotsky, Piaget and many other theorists have supported this play based learning (Berk, 2005). Play-based learning environments help children develop positive attitudes toward learning and offer ideal opportunities for adult and child interaction and social interactions.
Play is a context for learning that provides children with a means to express their own personality, enhance their curiosity and creativity (DEEWR, 2009). Personal expression during play can help children make meaning of their world, and develop links between prior learning and experiences and new learning. Children actively construct their own understandings during play, they recognise their agency, meaning their own capacity to initiate and lead learning.
Berk, L., (2005). Infants and Children (5th Ed). Pearson, USA 2009).http://docs.education.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/belonging_being_and_becoming_the_early_years_learning_framework_for_australia.pdf
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