EDU 205 - Play and Learning
Lecture Hours: 3 Credits: 3
Description: This course provides students with a basic understanding of theory and practice related to children’s play and early learning in family, community, and educational settings. Within the parameters of an approved articulation agreement, this course may transfer to an accredited Education program at a comprehensive four-year college or university.
Prerequisite(s): Take ENG 100 , RDG 100 , and MAT 100 with a minimum grade of C.
Corequisite(s): Take EDU 230 with a minimum grade of C.
Course Topics:
- Major theories of play (e.g., Piaget, Vygotsky, Parten, Smilansky) and their implications for early learning and development.
- The role of play in supporting children’s cognitive, social, emotional, language, and physical growth across diverse developmental stages.
- Types of play (e.g., solitary, cooperative, symbolic, constructive) and their relationship to developmental domains.
- Play-based learning experiences that promote inquiry, creativity, and problemsolving in early childhood and elementary settings.
- Principles of culturally responsive and inclusive teaching when planning and facilitating play experiences for children from diverse backgrounds and abilities.
- Play behaviors and environments to inform intentional teaching practices and curriculum decisions.
- The teacher’s role as facilitator, observer, and co-player in supporting meaningful, developmentally appropriate play.
Textbooks:
Textbook information can be found on the Chaser’s Bark Shop website
Grading System:
An overall grade of C or higher is required for transferability.
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 0 - 59
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Explain major theories of play (e.g., Piaget, Vygotsky, Parten, Smilansky) and their implications for early learning and development.
- Analyze the role of play in supporting children’s cognitive, social, emotional, language, and physical growth across diverse developmental stages.
- Identify and evaluate types of play (e.g., solitary, cooperative, symbolic, constructive) and their relationship to developmental domains.
- Design and justify play-based learning experiences that promote inquiry, creativity, and problem-solving in early childhood and elementary settings.
- Apply principles of culturally responsive and inclusive teaching when planning and facilitating play experiences for children from diverse backgrounds and abilities.
- Assess play behaviors and environments to inform intentional teaching practices and curriculum decisions.
- Demonstrate understanding of the teacher’s role as facilitator, observer, and co-player in supporting meaningful, developmentally appropriate play.
- Reflect on personal beliefs and professional responsibilities regarding play as a pedagogical approach in early childhood and elementary education.
For SCC Online Courses:
If the course you are taking is online, please review the SCC Online Course Policies that include:
- Identity Verification
- Required materials for all online courses
- Mandatory Attendance Requirement
- Orientation and Support
- Proctored Exams
Standard SCC Course Policies:
Please review the Standard Course Policies on the following topics:
- Academic Integrity
- Add/Drop period
- Attendance
- Classroom Conduct
- Equal Access
- IT Access
- Online Behavior
- Online Confidentiality
- Services For Students with Disabilities
- Student Concerns
- Student Help Services
- Withdrawals
Official Course Syllabus
2026-2027
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