Overview of Play

• Explain the concept of play as it applies to learning.
• Examine the history of play.
• Inspect and categorize the various theories of play.

Relationship between Play and Child Development

• Describe the characteristics of play for infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children.
• Analyze the connection between physical and motor development and play experiences of young children.
• Analyze the connection between cognitive development and play experiences of young children.

Relationship between Play and Child Development (cont.)

• Analyze the connection between language development and play experiences of young children.
• Analyze the connection between social and emotional development and play experiences of young children.
• Summarize recent research on brain-based learning and play, focusing its impact on current-day views of child development.

Integrating Play and Curriculum

• Identify the common elements of play-based curriculum.
• Describe the various approaches to integrating play and the curriculum.

• Examine and the role of the facilitator in creating purposeful play experiences for children.

• Examine incidental and informal teaching opportunities during play.

Play Environment

• Examine the components of a creative and safe play environment as they apply to both indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Compare toys and materials for infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children.
• Determine how to select and adapt bias-free, culturally relevant play and learning materials for all children.

Diverse Populations and Play

• Devise ways to create play experiences that reflect gender equity and respect for cultural diversity.
• Describe how to create play experiences to meet the needs of children with disabilities.
• Outline the concept of play therapy as it applies to exceptional children.