Module Code: H6APCR
Long Title Advanced Play and Creativity in Early Childhood
Title Advanced Play and Creativity in Early Childhood
Module Level: LEVEL 6
EQF Level: 5
EHEA Level: Short Cycle
Credits: 5
Module Coordinator: ARLENE EGAN
Module Author: Jane Liu
Departments: NCI Learning & Teaching
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff  
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Develop an awareness of the historical, cultural and pedagogical views of play in learning and development in early childhood.
LO2 Demonstrate an awareness of what creativity is and its value in learning and development in early childhood.
LO3 Demonstrate an ability to recognise opportunities to promote all types of play and creativity in a range of learning and development contexts.
LO4 Demonstrate an awareness of the role of the practitioner in creating the conditions that support risky play or ‘rough and tumble play’.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).

No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Entry requirements  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Historical and cultural views of play and play in education
• This section focuses on creating the historical context of our understanding and appreciation of play. We examine how society has viewed play over time. We also explore the influences that culture have on play. This examination is conducted from a wide perspective, looking from eastern to western cultures and from a deeper perspective, by looking at subcultures and classes.
Creativity
• Defining creativity. Understanding the elements of creativity. How to ignite creativity in others.
Theoretical perspectives and approaches to play
• This section focuses on a range of core theories in the domain of play as espoused by Gray, Dewey, Montessori, Piaget, Vygotsky, Froebel, Steiner, Malaguzzi, Weikart et al, Derman-Sparks etc. • Understanding how elements of play and creativity are valid and present in early childhood education.
Recognising the features, functions of play and creativity
This section focuses on different approaches that define aspects of play such as types and features of play. This section will also specifically investigate the role of competition and cooperation in play.
The elements of creativity
Brainstorming, lateral thinking, divergent thinking, Team collaboration. Dialogue and questioning
Play and pedagogy
• The focus is on pedagogies that use strategies of play. Pedagogical frameworks and strategies will be evaluated in terms of their strengths and challenges. The role of the practitioner will also be highlighted to enhance thinking and understanding of the link between play and pedagogy.
Recognising the decline&functions of risky play and rough &tumble play
• This section focuses on risky play and ‘rough and tumble’ play, and its decline. The students will examine the possible over involvement of adult in children’s play and how much ‘free’ play a child actually engages in. It will specifically look at how these types of play help conflict resolution, cooperation, higher thinking, creativity and planning in learning and development.
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Assessment60.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: Oral (0090) % of total: 40
Assessment Date: Sem 1 End Outcome addressed: 3,4
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Debate - Students will be given a ‘for’ or ‘against’ position on the topic of rough and tumble play in ECE settings. They must write a 1500 word response. Teams will go head to head in class, debating the topic. Weighting will be 70% written argument. 30% debate.
End of Module Assessment
Assessment Type: Terminal Exam % of total: 60
Assessment Date: End-of-Semester Outcome addressed: 1,2,3
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
n/a
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat failed items
The student must repeat any item failed

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture per week 2 Once per semester 0.17
Independent Learning No Description 8.5 Once per semester 0.71
Total Weekly Contact Hours 0.17
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Liz Brooker and Susan Edwards (ed). (2010), Engaging play, Open University Press, Maidenhead, [ISBN: 9780335235865].
  • Professor Tina Bruce (Editor). Early Childhood, Sage Publications Ltd, p.440, [ISBN: 9781848602243].
  • Peter Gray. Free to Learn, Basic Books, p.288, [ISBN: 9780465025992].
  • Malaguzzi, L.. 1996/200 The Hundred Languages of Children, Reggio Children, Reggio Emilia..
  • Maire Mhic Mhathuna (Editor), Mark Taylor (Editor). Early Childhood Education & Care, Gill & Macmillan Ltd, p.384, [ISBN: 9780717153244].
  • Janet R. Moyles. Just playing?, Milton Keynes [England] ; Open University Press, 1989., [ISBN: 033509564X].
  • Cathy Nutbrown, Peter Clough, Philip Selbie. Early Childhood Education, Sage Publications Ltd, p.224, [ISBN: 9781412944984].
  • Nutbrown, C.. (2011), Key Concepts in Early Childhood Education & Care, Sage, London, [ISBN: 9781849204019].
  • edited by Sue Rogers. Rethinking play and pedagogy in early childhood education, Abingdon, Oxon, England ; Routledge, c2010., [ISBN: 9780415480765].
  • Nicola Yelland. Contemporary Perspectives on Early Childhood Education, Open University Press, p.288, [ISBN: 9780335237876].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • entre for Early Childhood Development and Education. (2006), Siolta: The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, CECDE, CECDE, Dublin.
  • National Council for Curriculum & Assessment. (2009), Aistear the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, NCCA, Dublin.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • [Website], Children’s Database,
  • [Website], Early Childhood Ireland,
  • [Journal], American Journal of Play.
  • [Journal], An Leanabh Og: The OMEP Ireland Journal of Early Childhood Studies.
  • [Journal], Child Links – The Journal of Barnardos.
  • [Journal], Children’s Research Digest.
  • [Journal], European Early Childhood Education Research Journal.
Discussion Note: