ShareFilmed over a year, this production follows a 3-year-old boy at play in a wide variety of settings. He is seen on his own, with his mum, in a group and with a friend enjoying indoor and outdoor play around his home and playgroup.
The sequences show how particular sorts of play enhance learning and development in some or all of the six EYFS areas. They can be used to practice observation and assessment and to look at the implications for planning.
The DVD as a whole gives a clear view of the child’s learning and development as he gets older. It builds up a holistic picture, telling us about his interests, social development and general disposition.
The sequences included are:
- At home with mum: 2yrs11 mths
- In garden with friend: 3 yrs 2 mths
- At home with adult: 3 yrs 3 mths
- At playgroup: 3 yrs 4 mths
- At home with mum: 3 yrs 5 mths
- In garden with friend: 3yrs 10mths
- Outside with friend: 3yrs 11mths
- Outside in den: 3yrs 11mths
- In park with mum: 4 years
For each sequence, the accompanying notes (35 pages) give information on the advantages of the particular sort of play and possible areas of interest to look at. Each has an example of an observation (narrative or target child), transcriptions of speech, a detailed list of points that can be seen in the different developmental areas and questions for reflection and discussion.
42 mins
Links to EYFS principles:
- A Unique Child: 1.1, 1.3, 1.4
- Positive relationships: 2.1, 2.3, 2.4
- Enabling Environments: 3.1,3.2, 3.3
- Learning & Development : 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
Anna Davies, Welsh Joint Assembly, Chief Examiner for Child Development
About LEARNING THROUGH PLAY - DOCUMENTARY & OBSERVATION SEQUENCES I teach the GCSE pupils aged from 14-16. I will use them in Child Development and Health and Social Care - both GCSEs I teach with the WJEC. They did seem age appropriate to me across all abilities. Videos related to any of the four developmental areas PIES - physical, intellectual, emotional and social can be used as we study all the areas.They could also be used in some sections of my A-level Health and Social where we look at development, again across the PIES. Teachers Review of 'Learning through Play - Observation Sequences' This is also a good example of how to base a lesson on short sections from the Observation films.
Karen Hudson, Early Year Lecturer, Nearth Port Talbot College
I have shown the (Bakers) section of (Learning through Play - Observation Sequences) of children playing in the sand to my 1st year students. The aim of the lesson was to prepare the girls to carry out a narrative description observation on a child aged 1-3 years 11 months, based on play. The booklet was really useful in helping me to plan the lesson and to direct the students whilst they were observing the children. The students were able to identify several different areas of the child's development including social, creative and imaginative. They particularly found it interesting to see how the children used their imagination and creativity because there was no adult intervention - and there were ample opportunities for child centred spontaneous play. The students also found it interesting to observe the change in the child's behaviour when an older child joined the group. I can see that the film and pack (Learning through Play (the 3 to 4 Year old) and Child Observation No 8 (Learning through Play) has great potential as a resource for teaching students about development and observation skills. I intend to use the films more next year. I also intend to discuss with our library manager, the possibility of ordering more films.
Professional Association of Nursery Nurses Review
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY is a very useful tool to use with students and staff training. It strikes the right balance of being easy to understand and informative without overloading.
Early Talk 2007 3 Star Rating
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY PACK: It is often difficult to find footage to use in training sessions and these films would be a useful supplement to training and information packages. The commentary is both accessible and interesting...
Early Childhood Practice: The journal for Multi-Professional Partnerships
I have now viewed ATTACHMENT IN PRACTICE, LEARNING THROUGH PLAY AND CHILD OBSERVATON NO.8 developed by Siren Films, and have found them to be an invaluable addition to my library.
Marian Whitehead, Language & Early Years Consultant
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY (THE 3 TO 4 YEAR OLD) is cutting-edge stuff...The observations are beautifully integrated and the lengthy section on personal, social and emotional development sets the right priority.
No Press.
