Has the emphasis on raising educational standards in the UK led to adult-led learning replacing play? This free course, The role of play in children's learning, will help teachers assess the importance of spontaneous play and socialising in the playground, as well as looking at the value of play and the varying attitudes that adults have towards the activity.

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• examine the place play has in the curriculum framework/guidance or documents most relevant to a personal setting
• identify various definitions of play
• demonstrate an awareness of ideas about the value of play and adults' attitudes towards play
• consider play in a personal setting and understand children's perceptions of play
• demonstrate an awareness of issues such as gender and play and children's right to play.