Introduction

In my blog I have chosen to create four posts on play and the importance of it for child development, Forest School and how it is beneficial for the children that participate in it, the Foundation Phase in Wales and the benefits that outdoor learning has on how children learn.
I have used various resources to research my information, such as video clips, journal articles and books to find out the opportunities that my chosen contexts give children and how they play a part in children's development.

References

Bruce. (1996). Helping young children to play. In Bruce, Helping young children to play. Hodder and Stoughton.

FE, I. (2011, September 6). Welsh schools told benefits of outdoor learning. Retrieved April 22, 2013, from Institution for outdoor learning: http://www.outdoor-learning.org/Default.aspx?tabid=118&Id=154

Fink, R. S. (1976). Role of imaginative play in cognitive development. In R. S. Fink, Psychological Reports:Volume 39.

Forest School: a marvellous opportunity to learn. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2013, from Forest Research: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/SERG_Forest_School_research_summary.pdf/$FILE/SERG_Forest_School_research_summary.pdf

Foundation Phase. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2013, from Welsh Government: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/schoolshome/curriculuminwales/arevisedcurriculumforwales/foundationphase/?lang=en

Government, W. A. (2008). Framework for Children's Learning for 3-7 year olds in Wales.

Government, W. (2012, July 16). Foundation Phase. Retrieved April 23, 2013, from Welsh Assembly Government: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/schoolshome/curriculuminwales/arevisedcurriculumforwales/foundationphase/?lang=en

Kenny, R. (n.d.). Forest School and the Early Years Foundation Stage. Retrieved April 22, 2013, from Academia: http://www.academia.edu/666361/Forest_School_and_the_Early_Years_Foundation_Stage_-_An_Exploratory_Case_Study

Language, Literacy and Communication Skills. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2013, from Welsh Government: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/earlyyearshome/foundation_phase/parentscarers/childlearn/sevenareas/languageskills/?lang=en

Minett, P. (1985). Early Childhood. In P. Minett, Child Care and Development (pp. 172-174). London: John Murray.

More about Forest School. (2011). Retrieved April 4, 2013, from Green Learning: http://www.greenlearning.org.uk/page0/index.html

Personal and Social Development, Well-Being and Cultural Diversity. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2013, from Welsh Government: http://wales.gov.uk/dcells/publications/policy_strategy_and_planning/early-wales/whatisfoundation/page4/sevenareas/personaldiversity/socialdeve.pdf?lang=en

The Importance of Play. (2013). Retrieved March 22, 2013, from London Borough of Hounslow: http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/index/education_and_learning/schools_and_colleges/speech_and_language/speech_language_videos/importance_of_play.htm