Play in the early years is a comprehensive study of pedagogy and play in early childhood education by a globally recognised leader in the field marilyn fleer examines how play has been thought. Teaching and play in the early years whats all the fuss play in the early years we all know from the early years foundation stage that play is essential for childrens researching planning play in the early years first we need play opportunities to support childrens understanding of . We assume that play needs to be supported and throughout this book discuss ways in which this can occur in the school preschool and after school contexts as well as in the home and a range of play and care settings although we focus specifically on the birth to 8 years sector we also focus on the play practices and beliefs of adults as you read the chapters of this book we ask you to . Play as play is the central force in the development of young children play is not a break from the curriculum play is the best way to implement the curriculum this policy brief focuses on play as an essential foundation for developing childrens ability to succeed in school and in life play in the early years key to school success pouring water