Play and Learning in the Early Years

′This is an authoritative and detailed analysis of the complexities of children′s play in different situations. It is made more accessible by the ′reflection points′ scattered through the text that encourage the reader to link theory with examples drawn from their own practice. It is an excellent up to date source of reference, and will be of significant interest to anyone wanting to understand more about the true nature of young children′s play and how to enhance it′ -
Early Years Update

′This is a fascinating textbook about the role of play within the early years sector and highlights how the target-driven approach can create stress for practitioner and child...[This book is] very readable with interesting case studies. It would certainly prompt good discussion at a staff meeting′ -
Children and Young People Now

′Designed to help practitioners at all stages of their professional development to understand different aspects of learning through play, the best thing about the book is the enthusiasm each author brings to sharing their research interests with readers. The authors demonstrate how their work can help practitioners to enrich children′s early experiences in childcare and education settings, giving them access to deep thinking about the power of play and the confidence to apply new understandings to their own settings′ -
Angela Anning, Emeritus Professor,
University of Leeds and Visiting Professor, Leeds Metropolitan University

Great for our practitioners. Gives a simple overview of and explanation for different types of play...and demystifies the more ′problem′ areas such as rough and tumble and risky play. -- Dr Carla Solvason * drupal *
A good practical guide, well laid out. -- Dr Jane Bulkeley * drupal *
A wide range of perspectives has been helpful in developing an holistic understanding of the importance of play. This book will be suitable for all students. -- Joy Carroll * drupal *
Might pose challenging for some readers at Level 4.

A book that includes a range of issues and concepts around play in early childhood. -- Miss Alyson Lewis * drupal *
A range of chapters written by experts in their field. Clear aims set out at the start of each chapter that helps students guide their reading.

The text may pose challenging for some students studying at Level 4 and would be most used by students at my college for study at level 5 and 6. -- Miss Alyson Lewis * drupal *
This book is relevant to a specific module of study for the Foundation Degree Early Years. Easy to read and navigate, with practical examples relevant to current early years practice -- Miss Lisa Bell * drupal *
This book will be used and recommended in with 1st and 2nd year BA (hons) Early Years students -- Miss Lorna Wardle * drupal *
A usefull text for my students providing some contemporary studies and literature specifically relating to the early years. The structure of the book makes sense with accessible language and easily navigable concepts. -- Mr Ben Tawil * drupal *
The usual high quality layout we expect from Sage, which makes the book easy to read. Theory is woven in to practical examples. This is a very accessible book and should be a useful read for practitioners at any level -- Mr Mark Wilkins * drupal *
Thought provoking; essential for university students of any HE level in the fields of early years, childhood or early education. -- Mr Steven Burton * drupal *
A very useful text with a breadth of perspectives covered, providing a comprehensive starting point for students on the Early Years Education course
Abigail Gosling, University of Bedfordshire. -- Mrs Abigail Gosling * drupal *
an information, easy to use text book -- Mrs Alison Loughnane * drupal *
Recommended as supplemntary reading alongside other books.

Useful resource for the different areas of learning and how these can be benefitted through play. -- Mrs Amanda Thompson * drupal *
More Welsh input - Fondation Phase rather than stage -- Mrs Anne John * drupal *
A good text that links clearly to one of the mandortary units. Supports students to gain further understanding obn play and learning -- Mrs Fiona Craig * drupal *
I found the book easy to read and enjoyed the variety within the different chapters. -- Mrs Helen Jones * drupal *
A very good read for those students who struggle to link theory to practice.
Excellent for help with planning. -- Mrs Helen Middleton * drupal *
This will be a good addition to the book list for any student who is passionate about providing an appropriate play based learning environment for children. Each chapter is clearly written and provides a comprehensive reference section which will support/signpost students in their own independent learning. Supported by useful tables, observations. I particularly liked the chapted on Risky Play as this is so topical at the moment -- Mrs Janet Harvell * drupal *
As a new lecturer i have found the reflective tasks and case studies very a very good tool, to really support the students thinking and develop their understanding -- Mrs Julie Brierley * drupal *
Along with many theoretical perspectives this book represents an interesting comparison between concepts of a ‘transmission/directive approach’ and ‘emergent responsive approach’ in providing purposeful learning environments for children. It also gives meaningful argument towards the power of children’s agency. Good use of research. -- Mrs Karen Smith * drupal *
The chapter format of this book breaks the key issues in to easily readable chunks that are manageable by the students with each chapter supplying introductions and conclusions to help understanding. -- Mrs Kathryn Peckham * drupal *
A well designed book using case study and practitioner activities to support the theories it discusses. It gives an insight to how adults and educators percieve play and contests these thoughts with evidence and case study. A good theoretical book with sources for further reading and research. A valuable source for foundation degree level. -- Mrs Linda Walster * drupal *
A very good book that I will reccommend to my students. I partically liked the way the book encourages the reader to continuously reflect on practice. -- Mrs Maria Johnson * drupal *
A fasinating read which will help to develop my own continuous professional development. The book will also be strongly recommended to H.E. students to develop their understanding of play and the diverse cultural attitude practitioners may face from parents regarding play. -- Mrs Marion Farnworth * drupal *
As Play is a fundamental aspect of how children learn and develop, this book is great for students to use. It is well written and shows students current theories and research linking how children learn through play. It gives them the understanding that underpins how to plan for children′s play. -- Mrs Mary Harding * drupal *
An important addition to any student library. Accessible to Foundation Degree students, with useful case studies and reflections. -- Mrs Michelle Rogers * drupal *
An excellent book which gives a good insight into the whole ethos of play based early years curriculum. -- Mrs MINE TANA * drupal *
This publication has, reflective points, tasks throughout, to facilitate thinking and it aims to encourage independent study. Recommended for early years practitioners, and all those who work with and care for young children,
-- Mrs Noelle Wilson * drupal *
One of our Foundation Degree modules is on play and it′s really good to have a book based around play in early years. Reflection points are useful as teaching points. Good case study examples. Useful further reading. -- Mrs Pamela Egan-Wyer * drupal *
excellent practical resource for the first unit of study, which asks students to compare theoretical perspectives and play within their working environment - relevant to undergraduate study and suited to students entering HE for the first time -- Mrs Penny Yates * drupal *
This is an excellent book which gives a clear understanding of current practice in the Early Years. -- Mrs Ruth Davies * drupal *
This book was not well used for the policy assignment but will use it for the assignment ′supporting the early years curriculum′ and it will be on the essential list for that module. -- Mrs Sarah Tipler * drupal *
Good resource when looking at the EYFS -- Mrs Sharon Lock * drupal *
Good general text for the whole FdA Early Childhood Education programme as covers many aspects of the individual modules -- Mrs Terrie Blaszczyk * drupal *
This is a very interesting and enjoyable book to read. There are references to other chapters throughout which ties the concepts together nicely. The links to the authors research is well laid out and written an easily accessible style. -- Ms Aoife Cooney * drupal *
Play and Learning in the Early Years′ is a welcome roadmap to support early childhood students in forming vital links between their critical understanding and ECEC provision. -- Ms Jane Murray * drupal *
A book which illustrates the essential nature of play and how it can be incorporated successfully into the EYFS. The students (Primary PGCE) were very responsive to this book and enjoyed the ideas and theory presented within. -- Ms Jane Noble * drupal *
This engaging text, offers a range of perspectives on play. Case studies, reflective tasks and reflection points will help students to interact with the authors and enable them to make links between theory and practice. -- Ms Marie Lavelle * drupal *
I have used this book on my course Symbolic Behaviour because it encouraged my students to consider many of the layers and the contexts around children′s symbolic behaviour. -- Ms Micky LeVoguer * drupal *