LEGO professor of play to research the building blocks of education and early development

It国产视频檚 the kind of job you can only dream about getting when you国产视频檙e a child –听becoming听the world’s first听professor of play.

But applications are being considered for one of the most coveted jobs in education at Cambridge University.

The successful candidate will head up the university国产视频檚听Centre for Research on Play in Education, Development and Learning (Pedal) which is funded by the LEGO Foundation.

国产视频淭he value of play is relatively under-researched,国产视频� says Prof Anna Vignoles, interim director of Pedal and a member of Cambridge University国产视频檚 faculty of education said in an interview with the Guardian.听

国产视频淭he aim of the Pedal centre is to conduct rigorous research into the importance of play and how playful learning can be used to improve students国产视频� outcomes.

国产视频淐hildren are now increasingly accessing early-years provision at very young ages.国产视频�

This echoes 国产视频国产视频檚 5#5 campaign and the need for focus on early childhood development. We have been highlighting听the importance of essential learning, play, care, health and nutrition for听children under five.

Learning through play听helps young children国产视频檚 brains to develop and for their language and communication skills to mature.

But 200 million children are not getting the chance to realise their听full potential because of deprivation, conflicts and extreme poverty.

国产视频 is calling on world leaders to ensure that by the end of 2017 the听funds are allocated听to establish quality early childhood development programmes so that every child is given the best start in life.

For many countries听the importance of proper stimulation and play in the early years (birth to five) is becoming more of a focus.听

Research departments like the听one in Cambridge听can help to听deliver听vital new information on the subject of听play and early childhood development.

The LEGO听Foundation wants to find听a candidate with a 国产视频渃hildlike mindset国产视频�. He or she should be听国产视频渁n academic who is playful, extremely curious, open-minded, imaginative and creative –听someone who can think of new ways of doing research and work across different disciplines,国产视频� said听Bo Stjerne Thomsen, the foundation’s听global head of research.

The foundation is a firm believer that play has a critical role for children, particularly in high-quality learning. 国产视频淧lay should be part of education,国产视频� said听Stjerne Thomsen.

国产视频淭he skills you need now as an adult are collaboration, problem-solving and coming up with ideas. In that sense, play is critical.听

“You use your imagination to plan things, to predict outcomes, to understand how to solve a problem by looking at it from different perspectives.

Play can also help school-age children develop their writing skills – as shown in this film about the work of Cambridge University and the LEGO Foundation.