Policymakers to be called to account on role of play
Educators will debate the importance of play in educational settings with MPs and policymakers at the House of Commons on 12 November.
The event has been organised by TACTYC, a group of researchers, trainers and practitioners in early years, to highlight the role of play in early education.
They fear that although there appears to have been a focus on play in general, the part it plays in young children's educational development has been neglected.
TACTYC chair Pat Broadhead, Professor of Playful Learning at Leeds Metropolitan University, said, 'We want to draw attention to the relatively small amount of research on play and learning in early years settings. We need to look at the relationship between play and learning and consider how we know what children are learning about when they play.'
Professor Broadhead said that while there has been a focus on play in community settings, she was concerned that insufficient interest had been shown in play in educational settings.
'The Government think that they've ticked off play in early years settings. There's a substantial legacy from not talking about play,' she said.
A new report by TACTYC published in November will draw on findings and recommendations from research presented at a conference organised earlier this year by TACTYC, in conjunction with BERA (British Educational Research Association), which looked at play and learning from birth to eight.
Those interested in attending the debate should e-mail p.broadhead@leedsmet.ac.uk.
