Play-Based Learning Case
1. Scenario Seven depicts Ryder, a three year old boy, gravitating towards the warm, beautiful sunlight
streaming through the windows into the early childhood centre that he attends. Ryder is seen
delighting, non verbally, in his discovery of shadows and his ability to use his body, and the sunlight,
to create shadows and patterns by moving his body. Ryder, through his body language, exhibits
curiosity about, and a developing awareness of, cause and effect and the relationships between light,
his body and the shadows being cast on the floor. Ryder is displaying typical cognitive development
for his age with the exploration of relationships, and cause and effect (Kearns, 2010, p. 23). The
educator has observed and acknowledged Ryder s ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
By focusing on light and natural resources, and using concepts discussed by Malaguzzi (1994), play
based learning experiences were constructed that encouraged the children to use the environment to
learn autonomously. The free flowing and harmonious learning environments, both indoor and
outdoor, are a central component of the learning and teaching relationship. They encourage the
children to investigate, explore and interact with the resources, and each other, independently and
collaboratively. The experiences reflect the educator using the natural environment as a provocation,
an invitation to explore and engender excitement and interest. The use of the natural environment
provides multiple benefits for children from stimulating social interaction, development of
independence and improving children s cognitive development (White, as cited in Strong Wilson Ellis,
2007, p. 43).
The Reggio Emilia inspired learning experiences, arising from the scenario, are also designed to meet
a number of learning outcomes detailed in the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) (Department
of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations [DEEWR], 2009). The learning experiences
provides the children with opportunities to develop their emerging autonomy and interdependence
whilst learning to interact with others thereby
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