465-213 CDS23P Play & Development

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Subject Description

A study of the role of play in learning from early exploratory play to complex, cooperative, symbolic play. The stages of play development in the social, cognitive and linguistic domains will be outlined, drawing on the foundation research of Parten and Piaget and more recent research. The processes by which play becomes more sophisticated and the role it plays in social and cognitive development will be examined with particular emphasis on the role of adults and peers in play development. Research on gender and class differences and the effect of disability on play behaviour will also be explored. Theories explaining these differences will be examined. This information will be used to evaluate the appropriateness of developmental scales of play behaviour to monitor the development of young children and plan their learning experiences.

Assessment

A two-hour examination and a research project based on observations of children's play, equivalent to 2000 words.

Prescribed Texts

• Hughes F, Children, Play and Development (2nd ed). Boston: Allyn and Bacon 1995.