Play materials
Playing with a variety of materials, and using the experience to explore the value of play.
Learning goals
- Understand what children can learn through playing.
- Understand how to play with children.
Use play to prompt discussion
Let participants play with whatever materials you can conveniently gather. Keep it relaxed, pleasant and fun.
Talk about the experience – what might we learn? Think about maths, language, emotional and social skills, and so on.
Ask participants to think about how we play with children – letting them learn, explore and find out, while knowing we’re there to support and encourage.
- What does it take to be a good play companion?
- How do we play alongside children?
- How do we talk about what’s happening while we play?
Discuss how to encourage and how to allow children to make their own discoveries.
- What are some of the fun and pleasant memories we have about what we played with as children?
Resources
Tākai resources
Whakatipu booklet Te Māhuri 1 – from three to four years ‘Ngā mahi a whānau’
Whakatipu booklet Te Māhuri 2 – from four to five years ‘Ngā mahi a whānau’
Order free printed resources(external link)
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