The term play-way was first used by Caldwell Cook to describe his method of teaching English to a class of boys at Perse School. He believed that “Good work is more often the result of spontaneous effort and free interest than of compulsion and forced application. While teaching he found that children showed unwillingness for lessons in English literature, so he employed a method called play way by means of which children showed a keen interest in the subject.
He organized an open-air theatre in the school. Play activities were planned for grammar and composition lessons. The pupils participated eagerly in the lessons and were allowed to express their ideas freely. Thus the English period was welcomed with joy. Gradually the scope of play-way became enlarged and it began to be applied to the teaching of other subjects. Play-way introduces the elements of reality, freedom and responsibility into the school work.
Last modified: Wednesday, 9 November 2011, 8:58 AM
Participants