Examining Play in Primary 3 and Primary 4

Drawing on policy and practice, this session will consider the role of play in fostering learner agency, creativity and collaboration. Play will be positioned as fundamental to children’s wellbeing, resilience and development. Participants will critically reflect on pedagogical approaches, including the balance between adult-led, guided and child-led play, and how these approaches support assessment, observation and responsive teaching.

Professional dialogue is embedded throughout the session for collaboration and discussion in breakout room and the plenary. By the end of the session, participants will have enhanced understanding of the value of play and how to implement and evaluate play-based learning that is coherent, progressive and aligned with national policy.