Research and Evidence
Research, information and suggestions to help you on your playful learning journey.
We recognise that your time is stretched and while you want the research and information about play, it's value and impact for your setting, time is not on your side! Here we have collected a range of evidence, articles and think pieces to support you wherever you are on the journey to becoming a playful school.
There are 4 section with subpages if you want to delve deeper:
1. Book recommendations
2. Play - What's it all about?
3. Play Based Learning
4. Choice, autonomy and agency - the core principles.
In each section there are document recommendations with short summaries, quick links and suggestions about how the documents might be useful.
Play - what is it and why do we need it in Education?
Play itself is a complex idea with many different definitions and variations. The links in this section unpack some of the core concepts, bringing in research and articles that demystify play, and related principles, as something vital for our children.
What's it about?
A full report into play in the lives of children in England, looking at a holistic offer both for children at home and in educational settings. Wide ranging statistics and powerful child voice. Bold recommendations for a cross departmental strategy to tackle the issues on pg 130.
How might it be useful?
Useful for wider school and community discussions and reflection. Could be shared with staff, Governors and families to raise awareness of the importance of play and the current challenges.
What's it about?
The Power of Play is a literature review which presents a strong body of evidence and expert opinion demonstrating the crucial role of play, especially outdoor play, in children’s enjoyment of their childhood, their health and their development.
How might it be useful?
An interesting read alongside the Everything to Play for report. A short summary of the benefits of play on pages 3-4 which would be valuable to share with colleagues for discussion about where the impact is seen in your setting.
What's it about?
A well organised summary of play including definitions, recommendations and powerful pupil voice throughout.
How might it be useful?
Useful definitions of play on pages 5-6 which could be used for reflecting on play opportunities aligned to these definitions.
What's it about?
A comprehensive journey into what play is, its role in children’s development, including its evolutionary roots, types of play, environmental and social factors, and the damages of its absence.
How might it be useful?
A longer piece which would be useful to explore in sections with leaders and educators looking to develop a comprehensive understanding of play and it's impact on child development.
What's it about?
A detailed report into the inquiry project by the APPG for Education. The report looks at the current landscape data for exclusions, attendance, engagement, teacher retention and other data. It digs into the challenges around the curriculum, assessment and teachers perceptions and raises important questions about the current state of education experience for children.
How might it be useful?
Useful for leaders who want to look at the bigger picture of pupil experience and understand some of the affecting factors when beginning to think about implementing play based learning.
Play based learning
Play, as a tool for learning, has been widely researched for many decades. The links below explore the definitions of play based learning and the impact it can have in Primary classrooms in and beyond EYFS. They also share the challenges to implementation and some practical ideas to explore getting started.
What's it about?
This study gives a comprehensive examination of child development research, educational policy and neuroscience. It also explores the theories around decision making in educational leadership. They key threads identified and explored in the dissertation are: leaders’ knowledge and experience; systems and politics; leaders’ confidence and certainty in decision making; the impact of values, beliefs, perceptions and biases, and the significance of connections and collaboration.
How might it be useful?
This study explores the barriers and gives suggestions for school leaders and the education sector, along with suggestions for further research. Useful to empower others to implement play-based learning beyond EYFS.
What's it about?
A SEND focus for the use of play based pedagogies, exploring how one school implemented play and its impact. The article also includes some valuable definitions of play based curricula and learning.
How might it be useful?
A great report for short CPD or staff meeting discussion about what play based learning is and its impact both for SEND learners but also more widely.
What's it about?
A short case study from a school running continuous provision in Year 2 using the Leuven scales and skills retention to measure impact. The full case study is called Flexible Routes and Flourishing Learners, which details adult and child voice, challenges to implementation and considerations for schools.
How might it be useful?
Use for discussion with leaders and practitioners about the possible impact of using continuous provision or for staff discussion as part of CPD. Full Case study here.
What's it about?
A framework for thinking about learning through play, and a review of pedagogical practices that support it and their characteristics. Eight playful pratices are presented in clear format with simple examples and explanations which embody the five characteristics of play.
How might it be useful?
A fabulous document to explore one or all of the eight practices, each one is only 2-3 pages. This is valuable for educators working with all ages of children as the practices are interesting and relevant for KS1, 2 and beyond. A great piece to use as CPD or staff discussion of current and desired possible practice.
What's it about?
An article which includes definitions of Early Childhood, theories of play and learning through play. It also highlights some opportunities and recommendations for learning through play in early childhood.
How might it be useful?
A useful piece which brings together core elements of understanding to develop understanding for leaders and practitioners and to ignite discussion. Use as part of leadership discussions or as a piece for teachers to read and reflect upon for CPD.
Choice, autonomy and agency.
Choice, Autonomy and agency are core components of play. These links explain key terms, practical strategies for fostering these concepts, and the effects on motivation and achievement.
What's it about?
This paper offers an overview of how play might support the acquisition of broad skills and dispositions for lifelong learning. It argues that play develops self-regulation and motivation, both of which support the child’s agency in their learning, and offers practical strategies for enhancing play and children’s agency.
How might it be useful?
Useful for leaders and practitioners who want a deeper dive into the concept of agency and the possible impact it can have. It could form part of a leadership or wider staff discussion about the concept of agency within your school and possible next steps.
What's it about?
A short paper focussed on agency and its power in the classroom. The research explores relationships, children’s voice and the responsibility of adults to build agency into children’s days.
How might it be useful?
Useful for practitioners and leaders to are exploring the impact of agency and the conditions around play based learning in classrooms. Useful to inspire and develop child voice in your school, gathering perceptions and feeling around current levels of agency.
What's it about?
This article pulls together research and thinking about agency, its purpose, and how it can be aligned to the curriculum and built into our pedagogy across the Primary phase. It includes a useful diagram (Figure 1) of the stages of learners' understanding of their learning.
How might it be useful?
Useful for leaders who want to better understand the purpose of the concept of agency and to explore the current and aspirational position of learners as a result of the pedagogical approaches in your school.