The playful characteristic is about encouraging children to make connections through imagination and creativity, to explore alternate worlds and ways of thinking. These worlds, not bounded by reality, offer the freedom children need to innovate and enact new possibilities.
'Playful' unpacked
Teachers may:
- provide extended periods of time, appropriate spaces and imaginative resources for children to engage in playful learning
- clearly articulate the curriculum intent that underpins each playful learning experience
- encourage children, through their playfulness, to explore alternate worlds and ways of thinking
- create a classroom that becomes a place where children have the freedom to innovate and enact new possibilities
- access practical teaching and learning resources aligned to age-appropriate pedagogies via the Curriculum gateway (search 'K2 sandpit') or the EFI catalogue (search 'K2 capability suite').
Children may:
- engage socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively within intentional spaces and with intentional resources
- interact with their teacher in meaningful playful learning opportunities
- participate in playful learning experiences across a range of curriculum areas and within a balance of pedagogical approaches, practices and strategies
- understand the learning intent of their play.
'Pretend play and the imagination are important for cognitive development, helping children to reflect upon and regulate their own cognitive behaviour.'
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