Play Pedagogies in Early Childhood

Postgraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
EDUC 5253
Course ID icon
Course ID
208328
Campus icon
Campus
Magill
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Education
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Jodie Stribling
Course level icon
Course level
5
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

This course aims to investigate the importance of play in early childhood through content that focused on theoretical perspectives and the co-construction of learning through constructivist pedagogies

  • The History of Play and What is Play?
  • A Play-Based Curriculum, Pedagogies & Theoretical Perspectives
  • The Educators’ Role in a Play-Based Curriculum
  • Making Learning Through Play Visible
  • Environment and Resources
  • Risky Play
  • Anti-Bias Curriculum & Play
  • Environment and Resources
  • [Placeholder]
  • The Importance of Reviewing & Reflecting & Assessment Two Preparation

Course learning outcomes

  • Critically examine multiple perspectives of play and its value and benefits.
  • Critically analyse adults’ roles in children’s play, considering Australian and international perspectives about play in the curriculum and the relationship between play, development, learning and wellbeing.
  • Apply practical knowledge and theoretical understanding of play-based pedagogy to plan diverse and balanced programs for children birth to 8 years.
  • Use observation, listening and documentation pedagogies in planning and assessing play-based pedagogy that acknowledges children’s competence and voice in co-constructed meaning in play.
  • Critically examine what it means to be a ‘novice’ learner in comparison to an ‘expert’. (Knowledge of and skill in the related implications for practice).
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the most efficient an effective process of knowledge acquisition in the brain, including the function of memory and the concept of cognitive overload.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the process that occurs in a novice brain during progression towards mastery. (Knowledge of and skill in the need to adjust practice in response).
  • Critically examine neuromyths and brain development and explain how these influence learning.

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Magill

Class number
Class number 23033
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 26
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 10 Mar Tuesday 3:10pm - 6pm Magill de Lissa, G1-72
24 Mar - 7 Apr Tuesday 3:10pm - 6pm Magill de Lissa, G1-72
5 May - 26 May Tuesday 3:10pm - 6pm Magill de Lissa, G1-72
Class number
Class number 22143
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 26
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 13 Mar Friday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill de Lissa, G1-72
27 Mar - 10 Apr Friday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill de Lissa, G1-72
8 May - 29 May Friday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill de Lissa, G1-72
Class number
Class number 22144
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 22
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 11 Mar Wednesday 9:10am - 12pm Magill de Lissa, G1-72
25 Mar - 8 Apr Wednesday 9:10am - 12pm Magill de Lissa, G1-72
6 May - 27 May Wednesday 9:10am - 12pm Magill de Lissa, G1-72
Class number
Class number 22145
Section
Section TU04
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 13 Mar Friday 3:10pm - 6pm Magill de Lissa, G1-72
27 Mar - 10 Apr Friday 3:10pm - 6pm Magill de Lissa, G1-72
8 May - 29 May Friday 3:10pm - 6pm Magill de Lissa, G1-72

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

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Degree list
The following degrees include this course