Qualification: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 3.3: Apply theoretical perspectives and philosophical approaches to play
Learning outcome: Understand philosophical approaches which influence play provision
Assessment criteria: Analyse how philosophical approaches to play inform practice
For this assessment criterion, you will be required to analyse and discuss how the philosophical approaches to play that we explored in the previous section inform Early Years practice.
We have summarised some of the ways that the principles of each philosophical approach translate to practice in the table below:
| Approach | How it informs practice |
|---|---|
| Froebel | Outdoor areas Rhyme and song Natural materials |
| McMillan | Outdoor areas Physical health and hygiene |
| Montessori | Child-initiated play Child-centred planning Accessible resources |
| Isaacs | Child-initiated play Imaginative play |
| Steiner | Child-initiated play Child-centred planning Hands-on practical experience |
| Bruce | All play should be valued Free-flow play |
| Emilia | Child-initiated play Working in partnership with parents/carers |
| Pikler | Child-initiated play Freedom of movement (free-flow) Kind and respectful relationships between adult and child (Key Worker) |
| The Curiosity Approach | Freedom to explore (free-flow) Natural objects and materials |
| Forest Schools | Outdoor areas Natural objects and materials |