Nursery World - Early Years Play and Learning

Early Years Play and Learning: developing social skills and cooperation By Pat Broadhead

By Pat Broadhead

(Routledge Falmer, 17.99, ISBN: 0415303397, 01264 343071)

Reviewed by Penny Tassoni, early years consultant

This interesting book takes the reader on a multi-faceted journey which considers the way in which children learn through play and the importance of observing children.

Pat Broadhead skilfully shows how children's play and social interactions can be observed through the Social Play Continuum, an observation tool she developed. The book gives examples of observations carried out in schools and some nurseries, and the subsequent reflections are riveting. I particularly enjoyed reading about the emergence of an area within the provision of the settings where children were able to create their own backdrop to play. This area is brilliantly dubbed the 'whatever you want it to be place', and the book is worth reading just to pick up on this as an idea.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included