So You Like To Do Your Research

Here is a great starting place for research into play based learning.

Blank, M., Rose, S. A., and Berlin, L. J. (1978). The language of learning: The preschool years. Grune and Stratton.

Bodrova, E., & Leong, D. J. (2017) ‘Play and early literacy: A Vygotskian approach’ In K. Roskos (Ed.) Play and literacy in early childhood: Research from multiple perspectives. London: Routledge.

Christie, J., & Roskos, K. (2015). How does play contribute to literacy. In J. E. Johnson, S. G. Eberle, T. S. Henricks, D. Kusch (Eds.) The handbook of the study of play, Volume2, (pp. 417-424).

Fellowes, J., & Oakley, G. (2014). Language, literacy and early childhood education, 2nd Edition. Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press.

Fleer, M. (2013). Play in the early years. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Cambridge University Press.

Fleer, M. (2016). Play in the early years (2nd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Gray, P. (2009). Play as a foundation for hunter-gather social existence. American Journal of Play, 1, 476–522.

Hall, N. (2017) ‘Literacy, play, and authentic experience’ In K. Roskos (Ed.) Play and literacy in early childhood: Research from multiple perspectives. London: Routledge.

Heckman JJ, Biroli P, Boca DD, et al. Evaluation of the Reggio Approach to Early Education. Res Econ. 2018;72(1):1-32. doi:10.1016/j.rie.2017.05.006

Lillard, A. S., Lerner, M. D., Hopkins, E. J., Dore, R. A., Smith, E. D., & Palmquist, C. M. (2013). The impact of pretend play on children’s development: A review of the evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 139(1), 1–34.

Piaget, J. (1962) Play, dreams, and imitation in childhood. Gattegno C, Hodgson FN, (trans). New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company

Rowe, D. W. (2017) ‘Bringing books to life: the role of book-related dramatic play in young children's literacy learning’ In K. Roskos (Ed.) Play and literacy in early childhood: Research from multiple perspectives. London: Routledge.

Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). ‘A focus on pedagogy: Case studies of effective practice’ in K. Sylva, E. Melhuish, P. Sammons, I. Siraj-Blatchford, B. Taggart (Eds.) Early childhood matters: Evidence from the Effective Pre-school and Primary Education Project. London, New York: Routledge.

Siraj-Blatchford, I., Sylva, K., Muttock, S., Gilden, R. and Bell, D. (2002).Researching effective pedagogy in the early years (REPEY): DfES Research Report 356. London: DfES, HMSO.

Sylva, K., Melhuish, E., Sammons, P., Siraj-Blatchford, I., and Taggart, B. (2008). Final report from the primary phase: Pre-school, school and family influences on children's development during Key Stage 2 (7-11).DCSF RR 061, Nottingham: Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Touhill, L. (2012). Inquiry-based learning. NQS PLP e-Newsletter, 45, 1-4. Accessed 4th March 2018

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (2016) Illustrative Maps from the VEYLDF to the Victorian Curriculum F–10 .Retrieved 3 March 2018,

Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in Society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Victorian State Government Department of Education and Training (2016) Victorian early years learning and development framework (VEYLDF). Retrieved 3 March 2018,

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (2016) Illustrative Maps from the VEYLDF to the Victorian Curriculum F–10.Retrieved 3 March 2018,

Vygotsky, L. S. (1962). Thought and language. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Vygotsky, Lev S. (1967). Play and its role in the mental development of the child. Soviet Psychology,5(3): 6–18.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Walker, S. L. & Spybrook, J. (2011) Practical uses of literacy-embedded play centres, NHSA Dialog, 14, 89-97.

Weisberg, D. S., Zosh, J. M., & Hirsh-Pasek, K. (2013). Talking it up: Play, language development, and the role of adult support. American Journal of Play, 6(1), 39–54.

Williams, M., & Rask, H. (2003). Literacy through play: How families with able children support their literacy development. Early Child Development and Care, 173(5), 527–533.

Wood, D., Bruner, J., & Ross, G. (1976). The role of tutoring in problem solving. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry & Applied Disciplines, 17(2), 89-100.