EDSU111 Children, Science and Play

Explores concepts of physical, material and biological sciences in the context of children’s toys, games and play.

This paper is largely practical, and students learn how to include types of energies, forces, nature of science and play in toys - many of which are made in class.

Paper title	Children, Science and Play
Paper code	EDSU111
Subject	Education
EFTS	0.15
Points	18 points
Teaching period	Not offered in 2023 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD)	$912.00
International Tuition Fees	Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

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Restriction

EDUO 173

Eligibility

The class is designed primarily to support the development of student teachers in the primary and ECE undergraduate programmes within the College of Education. It does actively include those undertaking Early Childhood Education and would be beneficial to anyone with an interest in how and why children should play.

Enrolments for this paper are limited and require departmental permission.
View more information about limitations of enrolment.

Contact

steven.sexton@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Paper Co-ordinator: Dr Steven Sexton (Dunedin)

Paper Structure

The paper is predominantly hands-on, with students making and creating many of the activities used in class. Topics include:

• Materials play
• Moving-things play
• Air play
• Playground play
• Water play
• Living-world play
• Electricity-and-magnets play
• Light-and-colour play
• Sound play
• Natural-world play
• Computer-based animations/interactives
• Toys and games of the early Māori

There are two internal assessments:

• A toy construction assessment
• Resource Test (in-class)

Teaching Arrangements

There is a two-week gap when the College of Education students are on teaching placement - normally in April/May.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will:

1. Investigate physical phenomena, such as forces and energy in children's toys, games and play
2. Investigate the nature and properties of materials used in children's toys, games and play
3. Investigate the living world through children's toys, games and play
4. Recognise the natural environment as a context for developing scientific understanding through children's toys, games and play

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