Organized into four sections that mirror the EYFS, this book takes you through the curriculum framework demonstrating how play underpins each of these principles and is the common thread that links them together.

Chapters include:

- celebrating children′s play choices

- ways to work with parents

- inspiring environments for inspirational play

- the role of play in supporting key relationships

- creative play for flexible learning

Incorporating the voices of Early Years practitioners, this book takes the unique approach of analysing the academic theory, showing how this can be put into practice and then suggesting activities to facilitate reflective practice and professional development.

Useful to all those studying on any Early Years course, the book is particularly relevant to those leading practice in early years settings and those working towards Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

′This book is a well conceived, carefully formulated, coherent and cohesive treatise on different aspects of playful pedagogy. Using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as a focus, it challenges practitioners to question the EYFS, but is realistic about the need for practitioners to put play into their practice. Full of useful, practical and theoretical scaffolding for practitioners who want to (and should) play more with children, it covers all the major areas of play′ - Professor Emeritus Janet Moyles, Early Years & Play Consultant

Natalie Canning is a Lecturer in Education – Early Years at The Open University. Her background is in playwork and social work, particularly in supporting children to explore personal, social and emotional issues through play. She has published a number of articles relating to professional development and the early years and has presented at national and European conferences. Her main research is in the area of children’s empowerment in play and she is currently involved in research on developing children as autonomous learners. She has taught across a variety of Early Childhood undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.