Learning Through Play in the Primary School

Louise Paatsch, Ph.D., is Professor in the School of Education at Deakin University, Australia. Her areas of research include children’s language, pretend play, and digital play, with a strong focus on metapragmatic and pragmatic language use. She also explores teachers' talk patterns in supporting children's language and play abilities. Siobhan Casey, Ph.D., is a paediatric occupational therapist with extensive experience in working with children, families, and educators. She is a Supervisor with the Masters of Child Play Therapy, Deakin University, and delivers training, both nationally and internationally, through Learn To Play, Melbourne. She has a strong passion for supporting play-based learning in schools. Amity Green, MAChPT, BASocWk, PGDipL&T, is an Academic and Supervisor in the Master of Child Play Therapy course, Deakin University, Australia. She is a registered Social Worker, Play Therapist and a registered teacher with Education Queensland, working with families and teachers of children requiring additional support at home and in mainstream schooling. Karen Stagnitti, Ph.D., is Emeritus Professor in the School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. She has researched play for over three decades, working with families, teachers, community services, and schools. She has developed four play assessments and a therapeutic play approach called Learn to Play Therapy.

1. Why Play in Schools? 2. The Brain, Learning, and Play 3. Communication, Language, and Pretend Play 4. Emotional understanding, Self-Regulation, and Play 5. Developing Personal Social Capabilities Through Play 6. Creative Thinking, Storytelling, and Play 7. Play Is Not an Add On: Rather a Way of Doing 8. How to Create a Play-based Approach to Learning 9. The Role of the Teacher in Supporting Children’s Play 10. Assessing and Reporting Play 11. Practical Suggestions and Examples of Children Learning Through Play