Explain The Different Materials And Equipment To Support A Play Based Approach To Learning For Early Years Children

3.3 Explain ways in which children with additional needs can participate fully in play and learning activities

Children who have additional needs or disabilities may fully participate in play and learning activities. This is done by ensuring they have an adapted environment and well thought activity which means they can participate just as well as others. To plan an activity which ensures they can participate you need to have a good understand of what the child with additional needs or a disability is able to do and carry out.

4.1 Explain how to plan a play based approach to learning for early years children

You can plan for a play based approach to learning by looking at the various children and where they are at with their development.

Even if you’re not involved in their play it offers a sense of reassurance to children. You can also support a play based approach to learning by encouraging children to play with things they may not have played with before e.g playing with the resource yourself alongside the child. If a child sees what you can do with the resource then they are more likely to eventually participate along side you, copying what you are doing.

4.3 Evaluate different materials and equipment to support play based learning opportunities for children in their early years

By offering children multiple materials and equipment to play with you are allowing them to explore their senses and environment. Children can play with things such as various natural materials like sand and water which can allow them to create open ended opportunities e.g making cakes in the sand or bringing creatures to life underwater. In home corners you can offer children materials and equipment such as cardboard and fabric to create things like dens or a car. This allows children to use their imagination and carry out various types of role

An adult should also offer praise and encouragement to children whilst they play to show that they’re interested in what they’re doing and that they are playing nicely.
Learning outcomes Assessment criteria Unit amplification
5.1 Explain why children need to be able to take risks in play

Children need to be able to take risks during play to give themselves a sense of freedom, independence and confidence. Letting children take risks will allow children to create their own rules and establish their own boundaries as they push themselves.

5.2 Analyse the role of play in enabling children to learn to manage risk for themselves and others

Although we want children to take risks and challenge themselves we also need to manage these risks to ensure the children are safe. Talking to the children about the various risks they could come across whilst playing let’s children make their own choices and decide how they can avoid these