CCLD 303

Outcome: 303.3
Factsheet - The importance of Play

Susan Isaacs (1885 – 1948) work is “based on an understanding that children

learn through active involvement with their environment and that this is often best
achieved through the medium of play.” (Beaver. M, 2001, C23 p379)

Imaginative Manipulative
Creative Play Physical Play Social Play
Play Play

Placing various Making a

Using beams, Reading a book
types and Playing house chosen model
beanbags, balls with the
colour of paper in the role-play by the
etc as an practitioner /
on a table with area. practitioner with
assault course. child.
glue. play dough.

Working as a
group and
Using the building a tower
outdoor Dressing up and with the
Mixing paints
equipment to pretending to be Cooking construction
and painting.
play with, i.e. a policeman. toys, talking
cars. through with
the others on
what to do.

Children learn a lot through play as they gain many skills and confidence through
practical activities and engaging with other children and adults.

MACTAC © 2007
Within an educational setting you will observe two forms of play:

• Spontaneous Play: were the child indicates how they want to play by
making their own choices of what to play with and how to play with the
chosen equipment.

• Structured Play: this is when the adult supports the play and has already
pre-planned the play for the child.

Working as a
group and
Making a
building a Using
chosen Reading a
tower with beams,
model by book with
Structured the bean bags,
Cooking the the
Play construction balls etc as
practitioner practitioner /
toys, talking an assault
with play child.
through with course.
dough
the others on
what to do.

Placing
Using the Dressing up various
Playing
outdoor and types and
Spontaneous Mixing paints house in the
equipment pretending colour of
Play and painting. role play
to play with, to be a paper on a
area.
i.e. cars. policeman. table with
glue.

MACTAC © 2007