Final Reflections
The importance of play has always been integral to my teaching, particularly as the curriculur demands have increased for our most early learners. While time set aside for playtime - recess, choice time, etc. - has been a part of my daily schedule, incorporating play into my lessons and the curriculum is a practice I have become more intentional about. I realize that play is vital in all subject areas throughout the elementary grades and beyond.. This is not only true as it pertains to making learning meaningful to children, but is also another important in road for learning.
A classroom that weaves play into the fabric of its learning is a classroom full of joy. It is one in which children can demonstrate learning and understanding in distinctive and dynamic ways and one in which everyone has an opportunity to achieve and excel.
Having a duel focus of phonics instruction through Heggerty and incorporating play into my teaching allowed me to make many connections and parallels. I will will certainly keep Pedagogy of Play as an essential reference tool for my teaching in years to come..