Play-based learning has gained popularity in early childhood education due to its effectiveness in enhancing learning through play. This literature review critically evaluated three exemplary teaching practices in play-based learning: providing open-ended play materials and resources, using technology and multimedia resources, and incorporating diversity and inclusivity themes. The review highlighted the strengths and limitations of the literature, focusing on the context of the research and how it relates to diverse learners. While open-ended play materials and resources and integrating technology and multimedia resources effectively promote children’s learning and engagement, the literature suggests that these practices may be limited for children with diverse needs. The review also emphasized fostering diversity and inclusivity in play-based learning.
Teacher experiences are crucial in promoting diverse learners’ academic, social, and emotional development. According to Mitchell’s (2016) article on translational research, effective teachers can adapt their teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles, support language development, foster emotional and social growth, and meet the specific needs of their students. The child-centered approach is essential in early childhood, where teachers support the children’s natural curiosity, interests, and development. Teachers with experience in this area have found that this approach effectively promotes engagement, motivation, and learning (Order for Homework Help Online)
Play-based learning has become an increasingly popular teaching approach in early childhood education. This methodology fosters high levels of educational efficiency by promoting children’s learning through play. The following literature review will critically evaluate three exemplary teaching practices in play-based learning: providing open-ended play materials and resources, using technology and multimedia resources, and incorporating diversity and inclusivity themes. This review will use a range of studies as its source of literature, focusing on the research context, its strengths and limitations, and how it relates to diverse learners. Hire Professional Essay Writers online
Using open-ended play materials and resources is an essential teaching practice in play-based learning. These materials allow children to use their imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills in free play. Mitchell (2016) suggests that providing open-ended play materials and resources can create an environment that supports children’s exploration, experimentation, and discovery. This idea can be applied to the classroom setting, as it may promote a more engaging and stimulating learning experience for students. The study involved a survey of 255 early childhood educators in Queensland schools. The findings suggest that open-ended play materials and resources allow children to explore and create freely, promoting their curiosity and imagination. This teaching practice was particularly beneficial for children with diverse backgrounds, including those with developmental disabilities (Posner et al. (2011). This approach effectively enhances children’s self-regulation, social skills, and language development. The strengths of this literature are that it includes studies from different countries and contexts, including Australia and the United States, and incorporates perspectives from both researchers and practitioners. However, the study was limited to one state in Australia, which could affect its general focus on exemplary teaching practice to attain learning outcomes.
However, the literature indicates that the effectiveness of this approach may be limited for children with diverse needs. In this case, Posner et al. (2011) found that teachers may struggle to adequately support children with developmental disabilities to engage in open-ended play. In addition, the research context is often a limitation in this area, with many studies focusing on homogeneous groups of children or adults rather than a diverse sample. Thus, more research is needed to understand the effectiveness of this teaching practice for diverse learners.
