Enhancing Children’s Competencies in Playful Learning

Chapter objectives
Study of this chapter enables the reader to understand that:
* the aim in playing and learning is to develop competencies
* children, parents and educators perceive and comprehend play from different perspectives, which should be taken into account when designing a playful learning curriculum
* educators should reflect their playfulness and develop methods, environments and contents to provide mature play
* mature play steers to playful learning, and provides learning opportunities for children and educators; mature play integrates play with learning and defines the quality of play in early learning contexts; mature play is multifaceted and provides possibilities for embodiment, emotions, collaboration, action, narration, creativity and insight
* children are seen as active meaning- makers and agents who use the whole body for learning and playing
* all children need support, and playful learning can enhance children’s efficacious agency and selfregulation skills
* children’s views emphasise that mature play provides opportunities for various emotional play worlds.