The value of play in a successful transition from Early Years to Year 1

Rebecca Underwood, Avanti Schools Trust, UK Have you ever been fortunate enough to have watched children play – to observe them captivated in a task that they have complete ownership over? If so, you will fully appreciate the infinite value of play and its major significance as part of a broad and balanced curriculum for primary aged children. Play – those uninterrupted, spontaneous moments of joy and discovery. That is how children flourish, how they make connections with what they already know and how their self-confidence radiates to all around them. With evidence behind us, (Fisher, 2020a; Whitebread et al., 2012; Piaget, 1945), we must let go of the notion that if children are not at a desk, then they are not learning. Fisher states that ‘play is a word that chills the hearts of some headteachers, and senior leaders, particularly those who have never taught young children in their careers’ (2020a, p. 62). Whitebread’s research also confirms this attitude and claims t