Theory Revision

• Early years
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Theory Revision

T Level  in Education and Early Years 

Theoretical & Philosophical perspectives revision. 

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Session Aim. 

The session is aimed to support all learners in active recall and application of Early Years theory and educational philosophy relevant to their external assessments. 

Janet Moyles – Spiral of Play

Elinor Goldschmied – Heuristic play

Tina Bruce – Features of free-flow play

Maria Montessori – Self-directed play

Forest schools – Risk and challenge

High scope – Active learning in the natural environment

Margaret McMillan – Outdoor play for health and wellbeing.

Rudolf Steiner - Creativity and expression.

Why do we need to recap theory?

For assignment 1 (activity plans) - 4 hours 

You will need to clearly be able to create 2 activity plans tailored to the information on the brief. 

You need to refer to theories that are applicable for year 2. 

You can use year 1 theories but as part of your year 2 you need to embed philosophical approaches and theoretical perspectives. 

Janet Moyles – Spiral of Play

The play spiral theory was introduced in 1989.

The theory is important to understanding the different forms of play experiences that should be considered for children in early years. 

Children should be encouraged to play freely and then move slowly in to more structured play. 

It is important to acknowledge the spiral of play starts with free flow play with the intention to support children in learning new ideas and in ways they find is best suited to them. 

As this is mastered children can then begin to engage in more directed forms of play, but when this occurs the practitioner has a duty to provide the correct resources and lead the play. 

Janet Moyles – Spiral of Play

Elinor Goldschmied – Heuristic play

The heuristic play pedagogy was developed to shape play and learning with a cultivating culture of creativity. 

The concept of heurtisitc play and the use of treasure basked was developed to support young babies in exploring items in their own way. 

Over the years this concept has been adopted for all age ranges 0 - 5 years, now commonly also seen in the pre - school rooms and reception classes. 

Key principles around heuristic play 

* Children learn more effectively using real life objects

Focus is on discovery learning 

Stimulates the babies sensory and drive for exploration 

Promotes the curiosity approach. 

Tina Bruce – Features of free-flow play

Tina Bruce's concept of free flow play was made up from 12 features. 

Although the features are important it is more important to know how her theory can be applied to early years practice.

Practitioners must organise the play environment so that it is indirectly structured, often this means the environment of the classroom will rely more on the organisation of resources and materials. 

The intent of doing so is to encourage children to direct their own forms of learning and is supported by practitioners. 

During free flow play children: 

- Use first hand experiences from life 

- Engage in symbolic play

- Engage in pretend play 

- Focus on acquiring key skills. 

Maria Montessori – Self-directed play

The educational philosophy started to evolve from 1880's.

The intention of self directed play, is to encourage children to direct means of their learning for a minimum of 3 hour blocks using specific learning materials. 

The theory explores that children have an innate interest to learn in a suitable classroom which is designed to promote self initiated play. 

Montessori principles is widely adopted amongst many schools being Montessori focused only. 

The main intention was allowing children develop a feeling of self exploration and learning. 

We covered Maria Montessori in year 1 (element 1).

Maria Montessori – Self-directed play

Forest schools – Risk and challenge

Mind map the importance concepts of the Forest school approach in early years. 

Some key words for you to consider to scaffold your writing: 

• Emotional intelligence 
• Environmental education
• Problem Solving 
• Risk - taking 
• Holistic development 
• Nature - based activities.

High scope – Active learning in the natural environment

There are 5 fundamental 'ingredients' to the HighScope approach.

1. Materials , 2. Manipulation , 3. Choice , 4. Child language and thought , 5. Adult scaffolding

 

Understanding the High Scope curriculum approach

• The uniquely designed approach is to promote independence, decision marking and problem solving skills in young children.
• The Highscope curriculum includes effective adult - child interaction strategies that are individualised to the children. 
• In the curriculum there is a emphasis on active learning and the importance of using the environment as a tool.

Margaret McMillan – Outdoor play for health and wellbeing.

Margaret McMillan was known as part of the McMillan sisters with her sister Rachel. Margaret was very profound in her approach.

The McMillan sisters were known to shape early education with a holistic approach to create 'open air nurseries' that emphasised outdoor learning and play.

It pioneered a child-centered curriculum focused on individual needs and interests

Integrated education with health care and nutrition support.

Influenced key early years policies and practices still used today.

It is important the philosophy that was developed here, was to embed an integral part of children's outdoor play opportunities and experiences. "Building their muscles and their minds". 

Rudolf Steiner - Creativity and expression.

Also known as Waldorf education which developed the foundations of the Waldorf school in 1919. 

Steiner's educational philosophy promoted a holistic approach to creativity and child centered learning.

Steiner had some key concepts include: the importance of imaginative play & holistic learning. 

His theory focused on the importance of the 'whole child' being nurtured physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

The educational philosophy behind Waldorf education was to promote the importance of age - appropriate learning with a significant emphasis on cognition, PSED and physical development. 

The education approach differs from mainstream education in several ways. For a start, Steiner schools put a strong emphasis on the important of spiritual values and social skills and the teaching method is based on a balance of intellectual, practical and artistic teaching.

In the UK and Ireland there are over 30 Steiner schools.

Theoretical perspective and philosophical analysis table. 

On the revision google classroom, can I ask that you complete the theory analysis table to support and enhance your abilities of remembering these approaches. 

You need use this time to support you in understanding how to contextualise your knowledge correctly.