ABSTRACT
The role of play in the early years is established and has permeated every topic throughout this book. The foundation curriculum recognises play as ‘the key way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge’ (p. 25). This chapter is about using play as a positive teaching strategy which may include the active involvement of the adult. We offer ideas for the imaginative play area and for ways of playing with words. We also offer a diagrammatic representation of the process of planning, assessment, recording and reporting.
