A cornerstone of good early years practice is that children learn a great deal through play. This principle applies just as much to babies and very young children as it does to slightly older ones.
The Birth to Three guidance documents for England (Birth to Three Matters) and for Scotland (Birth to Three) remind us that babies and children need to explore with all their senses, an exploration that frequently starts with the child getting their hands on to something interesting.
One of the ten principles of Birth to Three Matters is that 'Children learn by doing rather than being told', so resources and planning ideas on the component cards all focus on making materials available and playing games with children. Enjoyable play can arise from continuous provision through an appropriately planned learning environment, or as adultinitiated special play experiences.
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