119). In Conclusion, Then, This Review Has Illustrated The Strong Consensus

119).
In conclusion, then, this review has illustrated the strong consensus that exists in the literature on the importance of the role of play for children's learning, not just for the physical and emotional well-being of children but also its interconnections with the cognitive competencies of literacy and numeracy. Contemporary commentary has highlighted the contrasting pedagogical philosophies which have emerged in the UK, essentially dividing the 'early years' phase from the early formal schooling, or Key Stage 1, phase which many see as a false and inappropriate division in terms of young children's educational needs. Drummond (2003, p.2) summarises this apparent contention neatly by calling for a re-acknowledgement of the value of play, already embedded in most early years educational philosophy and practice, to be continued into the first formal year of schooling. She states that in a good childhood, children engage in sustained, shared, purposeful talk; they are absorbed in complex, divergent, imaginative play. They are recognised and appreciated as accomplished, passionate learners and meaning-makers (Drummond, 2003, p.2). She suggests that since all this happens in the first year of the Foundation stage there is no good reason why it cannot happen in the second year of the foundation stage, in the reception class
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References
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Broad head, P (2003) Early Years Play and Learning: Developing Social Skills and Co-operation, Routledge Falmer, London
Bruce, T (1987) Early Childhood Education, Hodder and Stoughton, LondonCurtis, A (1998) A curriculum for the pre-school child, Routledge, London
Bruce, T (1996) Helping Young Children to Play, Hodder and Stoughton, London
David, T (2003) 'What do we know about teaching young children?' British Educational Research Association (BERA) www.bera.ac.uk/publications/pdfs/EYYRSP~1.PDF
DfEE/School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (1996) Desirable Outcomes for Children's Learning on Entering Compulsory School, DfEE/SCAA, HMSO, London
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Drummond, M.J (2003) 'Breathe Life into Childhood', Times Educational Supplement, 28th November 2003, pp.