“Play is not a break from learning. It is endless, delightful, deep, engaging, practical learning. It’s the doorway into the child’s heart” (vince gowmon).

Goal 2 ~ Artifact 2B

ECED 417 93Q: Supporting Learning in the Kindergarten Year (Instructor: Kathleen Eccelstone)

Assignment 4: Knowledge Transfer

While learning about play and play-based learning, I felt inspired to reflect on my own educational beliefs and practices. I realized that I would like to know more about how I can provide more powerful and diverse play experiences, including outdoor play and risky play opportunities in my Kindergarten program. The process of writing this paper allowed me to explore these topics and deepen my understanding of how to integrate concepts, philosophies, and practices into a comprehensive approach.

Educators have a responsibility to create holistic, balanced, developmentally (and contextually) appropriate programs that respect, honour, and support each child. Reflecting on this topic has helped me work towards the goal of continuing to develop my teaching pedagogies to enhance play and learning for all of my students. This paper shares how a range of play experiences, including outdoor play and risky play, can be used to honour the diversities and complexities of children’s unique contexts, interests, and needs.

Read Online: The Importance of Play, Outdoor Play, and Risky Play and its Impact on My Educational Beliefs and Practices

Download PDF: The Importance of Play, Outdoor Play, and Risky Play and its Impact on My Educational Beliefs and Practices

References

Gowmon, V. (2014). Retrieved on March 1, 2021 from https://www.vincegowmon.com/the-therapeutic-

power-of-play-to-heal-shame-in-children/