Play and Practice in the Early Years Foundation Stage

′This book is a well conceived, carefully formulated, coherent and cohesive treatise on different aspects of playful pedagogy. Using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as a focus, it challenges practitioners to question the EYFS, but is realistic about the need for practitioners to put play into their practice. Full of useful, practical and theoretical scaffolding for practitioners who want to (and should) play more with children, it covers all the major areas of play′ - Professor Emeritus Janet Moyles, Early Years & Play Consultant
The positive approach to play and how children create negotiate worlds provides a valuable resource for those interested in drama primary education -- Dr Alastair Daniel * drupal *
Easily readable and covers key point. Students like this text and find it accessible.

What is missing from this book and most others is a clear description of enhanced, focused and continuous provision. This is not a criticism of the text, it is a general comment that this seems to be a gap in expressed information that students new to early years provision need. -- Dr Jane Bulkeley * drupal *
After reading this book I believe that it fits well in an Educational Psychology Class, even though I had originally planned to include it in a developmental psychology class. Perhapes the first few chapters on meaning and value of play in child development could be included in a developmental psychology class. The case studies and activity sections in the chapters make the book fun and an easy read for undergraduate students. The book will remain very usesful when students actually enter the work force. The book is also ideal for students of primary education that are registered in my developmental psychology class.Theorists often stress the importance of play in child education and this is a book that actually puts theory into practice.
Very easy language. Would have prefered more pictures/colour in a book on play. -- Dr Monica Shiakou * drupal *
An excellent book for student teachers addressing issues around play based learning. Highly recommended as supplementary reading. -- Jill Dunn * drupal *
Selected as supplemental because it only covers an aspect of my course and so does not offer students comprehensive coverage of the other concepts covered in the course. However, students are able to select the EYFS and Play as a focus for one of their assignments so I will be recommending this test to those students who are interested in this area. -- Joanne McNulty * drupal *
This text includes a wealth of theoretical perspectives and links with practice. Interesting and thought provoking reading. -- Miss Alyson Lewis * drupal *
This book focuses on a unique child, positive relationships, enabling environments and learning and development in relation to the foundation degree. The textbook is informative and useful for highlighting issues for practice. -- Miss Leanne Warwick * drupal *
great book, with clear examples of play and practice within current early years settings. A recommended text for early years lecturers that teach on Level 3 to Foundation Degree courses within the early years sector. -- Miss Lisa Bell * drupal *
Very readable and engages the practitioner to reflect in a practical manner -- Mr John Bartlett * drupal *
A very useful book to use for planning my lessons and play and linking it to the EYFS. -- Mrs Alison Loughnane * drupal *
A good, easy read that covers familiar aspects, easing students in gradually -- Mrs Anita Williams * drupal *
Provides clear guidelines on the value of play and will be recommending this book to students studying the CACHE Diploma so that they can complete their externally marked Research Task. Will also be requesting copies for college library. -- Mrs Beverley Owen-jones * drupal *
Helps the students fully understand the various areas of development and how they interlink with the children′s needs. -- Mrs Carol darwin * drupal *
A handy all round helpful book -- Mrs Dawn Burnham * drupal *
This book has been recommend for the level 3 course. -- Mrs Ellen Smallbones * drupal *
While this has not been adopted for this current module it has got some interesting case studies and a useful section on enabling environments. This will make it a possible text for other modules. -- Mrs Emma Goto * drupal *
This book will appeal to students as it discusses the imortance of play in the early years through case studies and offering questions to consider. It will encourage students to reflect on their own practice and develop and deepen their own thinking on the value of play in the early years. I also liked the summary after each chapter. I am sure students will find this book a refreshing change and one that they can connect with. -- Mrs Jackie Braithwaite * drupal *
a good book with excellent links to EYFS and beyond. practitioners should utilise this book throughout their programme of study. -- Mrs Julie Clarkson * drupal *
the learners found this book essential in their unit on play, they have requested that the library stock the book.
some learners have taken the details to purchase it through amazon. -- Mrs Karen Cooke * drupal *
This book is well presented and easy to read; offering the student valuable information in understanding the concept of play and linking theory with practice. -- Mrs Kathleen Pullein * drupal *
This book supports the topics of play and learning in Early Years and can be used by all levels and it also refers to practice examples.
I feel it is a book for further reading rather than a ′must′ read. -- Mrs Keris Batley * drupal *
An easy to read book that students of a level 3 standard and a foundation degree standard would find useful. It relates theory to practice and the use of a case study to explain relevant areas to link with the EYFS would help the students in their learning. A helpful aid to tutors of these levels with activities aimed at the practitioner that they could use as research for students to develop discussion about specific topics at a later stage. -- Mrs Linda Walster * drupal *
A good book which is up to date and links in really well with the EYFS. Very good case studies and practical exercises for students or practising child care practitioners to use. -- Mrs Mary Harding * drupal *
Informative text, easily accessible to students on under graduate courses. -- Mrs Michelle Rogers * drupal *
links to criteria. very informative -- Mrs Paula Willis * drupal *
very good text - for undergraduate study - relevant to unit of study and for exploring play in the early years -- Mrs Penny Yates * drupal *
excellent resource
Useful for year one undergraduates studying early years care and education -- Mrs Penny Yates * drupal *
Great resource to use when referring to the EYFS. Especially good for small group work when referring to the EYFS pack. -- Mrs Sharon Lock * drupal *
Although this book is an interesting read, for the expectations of the PGCE course it would need more depth. Therefore it is a useful book to scan to gain an overview and ideas of where else to go for more in-depth exporation of this area -- Mrs Sheena Smart * drupal *
This book is very helpful for those teaching about the EYFS, I would recommend for your centres -- Mrs Sue Kinsella * drupal *
The book by highly recommended by two of my colleagues. I found the book easy to read. It explains the importance of teaching children through play and it gives explanation of many aspect of the current practice in Early Years. -- Mrs Svetlana Shivacheva * drupal *
Great practical book for incorporating theory into your childcare practice -- Ms Alison Stevenson * drupal *
An excellent book. Students find it accessible and very practical. -- Ms Gill ALBON * drupal *
Very useful resources for Year 1 studenst how are exploring learning theories and learning opportunities (through play) for young children -- Ms Kyara Cuningham-Rojas * drupal *
Great play based approach to linking theory and play. Clear links to the EYFS with easy to refer to pages. The focus is the importance of play which feels as if we have come full circle. Higher level students will still find this book a great read and practically a help with planning.
Case studies help to bring it all together. -- Ms Lisa Oneill * drupal *
Will be really helpful for new FdA students to begin to link and apply theory and principles of EYFS to workbased learning. Also easliy accessible for those students returningt to learning after a gap of many years. -- Ms Mary Haynes * drupal *