Title: Exploring Play Theories and Their Impact on Early Childhood Development

Background
As Early Childhood Educators, we understand the importance of play and all the skills young children learn through play. Children learn about obvious things, such as letters and numbers, colors and shapes, textures and smells. In addition, they learn more subtle skills, such as how to interact appropriately and why a child’s actions may cause another child to cry. However, not all parents understand the importance of play and what a child is actually learning. Parents may ask, “Why are the children always playing?” or “When are they going to learn something?” Teachers and parents can have differing views concerning how children learn best. Many parents do not understand how a child can learn through play. As an Early Childhood Educator, it is important to be educated and knowledgeable concerning different play theories and theorists and to be able to explain to parents how children learn through play.
Directions
For this assignment, you will analyze two different Play Theories and Theorists.
Step 1: Research and Analysis
Select two Early Childhood Theories and Theorists to analyze. Conduct basic research using course readings and additional library resources, as needed.
Some early childhood play theorist that you may consider for your assignment include:
Erik Erickson
Lev Vygotsky
Maria Montessori
Jean Piaget
John Dewey
Urie Bronfenbrenner
Howard Gardner
Sigmund Freud
Reggio Emilia
Albert Bandura
Step 2: Application and Reflection
Provide answers to the following questions and prompts in a 2–3-page reflection. Incorporate at least two credible resources from the course readings or additional library resources to support your answers.
Play Theory and Development: Analyze how each of the two play theories selected support children’s learning and development.
State the theorist or theory
Discuss what the theorist emphasizes concerning play.
Give an example of a child’s play activity and explain how and what the child is learning in a way that a parent would understand.
Stages of Development:
For each theory/theorist, describe stages of play (or stages of development) for children from birth to age 8. These will be different for each theory/theorist, so make sure to note this within your work.
Play Theories in Action: Explain how these play and development theories apply to environmental considerations in an early childhood setting.
Select an area or center, such as the blocks center, dramatic play, manipulatives, library, outdoor play, etc.
For each of your two theorists, explain what a child might be learning and how this may apply to their growth and development.