Play and Exploring: Supporting Children’s Participation
Play and Exploring: Supporting Children’s Participation
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Play and Exploring: Supporting Children’s Participation
What do you already know about helping children to play and try new things?
Learning Objective
At the end of the lesson you will understand how to encourage children to explore, have a go and develop new skills, linked to the EYFS framework.
Starter Activity
Recall a recent time you supported a child’s play. What did you do to encourage them? Quickly jot your thoughts or discuss with a partner.
What Does 'Having a Go' Mean?
It means giving children a chance to try new things, make mistakes and discover by themselves, rather than only playing with what is familiar.
Why Encourage Exploring?
Exploring different activities helps children develop confidence, creativity, and flexibility. It supports key learning and builds resilience.
How Practitioners Can Help
Provide inviting materials and allow children time to play with them. Be encouraging and observe where support is needed.
Encourage Exploration
Support Play
Ask open questions, suggest new ideas, model curiosity, and value mistakes as learning opportunities.
Activity: Fine Motor Skills in Play
Give children a fine motor task (e.g., threading beads). Discuss and note which EYFS physical skills this activity helps develop, such as hand–eye coordination.
Summary
Supporting play and exploring is key to children’s development. Encouragement helps children try new things, make progress, and meet EYFS goals.
Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.
Write down 2 things you want to know more about.
Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.
