Introduction to Play in Early Childhood

Jane Waters-Davies is an Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Originally a teacher in London, she has worked in higher education in Wales for over 25 years, leading programmes in Early Childhood Studies,  and Initial Teacher Education and Doctorate in Education. Jane is now involved in research, works with postgraduate research students in the field of education, and sits on the Welsh Government advisory panel for early years. Her doctorate explored the affordances for interaction and child agency in the outdoor and indoor spaces of the early years at school. Her research interests lie in young children’s participation, play and learning, outdoor play and early concept development, and the professional education of those working with young children. She is passionate about the importance of early childhood educators understanding the complexities of their professional role, being able to advocate for playful learning on behalf of children, and being respected for the tremendous work they do.

• Part I: What Is Play?1.What is play? - Natalie MacDonald2.Children’s Right to Play - Jane Waters-Davies3.Types of Play - Allison Rees-Edwards4.Play Pioneers and their Legacy - Alison Murphy 5.Contemporary Playful Pedagogies - Lauren Whale and Louise Atkins Part II: Why Is Play Important?6.Play, Learning, and Development - Natalie Canning and Angela Rekers7.Play, Early Language and Communication - Amanda Bateman8.Play, Creativity and Well-Being - Charlotte Greenway and Laura Hutchings9.Observation and Assessment of Play - Tereza Aidonopoulou-Read10.Planning for Play - Karen Boardman and Jennie SwiftPart III: Where Does Play Happen?11.Enabling Environments: Indoors and Out - Jennie Clement12.Outdoor Play - Glenda Tinney13.Play in the Digital World: Beyond the Binary Logic - Pekka Mertala and Daara Salomaa14.The Place of Play in the Early Years Curricula of the UK - Carys Jennings15.The Role of the Adult in Supporting Play - Angela Rekers and Mel McCree16.Play and Inclusion - Nanna Ryder and Charlotte Greenway17.Intergenerational Play - Maragret Kernan, Giulia Cortellesi, and Mariana PalazuelosPart IV: International Perspectives18.Cultural Framing of Expectations for Play - Angela Rekers and Jane Waters-Davies19.Play in Extremis - Debra Laxton, Linda Cooper, and Sarah Ndlovu20.Playful Learning around the World - Sarah Chicken and Sarah Whitehouse