Learning Through Play Across Early Childhood and Primary Curriculum Frameworks: Insights from Curriculum Change and Redevelopment in Ireland

In recent years, Ireland has engaged in intensive curriculum change and redevelopment. A key principle of this process has been a concern to maintain pedagogical continuity in the way children experience the curriculum in transitioning from early childhood education to primary school. This concern was prompted by research indicating that a pedagogy of play was becoming less of a feature of curriculum enactment for children in primary school. Prior to examining the current position regarding a pedagogy of play across early childhood and primary curriculum frameworks in Ireland, this paper provides an overview of the broader policy directions of the early childhood and primary school systems. Barriers that have been identified in enacting a pedagogy of play at the system, setting/school, teacher and child levels in preschool and primary school will be considered, and enablers are suggested to support the effective enactment of curriculum experiences that include an understanding of the pivotal role of learning through play for all children.