Play provides a foundation for children’s holistic health, wellbeing, learning and relationships. This subject engages students in a critical inquiry of children’s play and its pedagogical potential to facilitate engagement in learning and complex interactions. Developmental, cultural, and critical theories of play will be interrogated to enhance understanding of the value and relevance of play in both early childhood and school settings. Play-based pedagogies aligned with The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia, the Australian Curriculum and NSW Personal Development, Health and Physical Education curriculum, and national and state health promotion initiatives are used to assess and plan for children’s emerging play, relationships, movement, health and wellbeing. Students will examine children’s rights, agency and abilities within multiple play contexts, and the influence of community and families’ diverse values and cultural practices, on play opportunities that promote active and healthy ways of being. This subject is included in the Foundation Phase of the Master of Teaching program.