Playworlds | Play Based Pedagogy Research | Preshil
Source: https://preshil.vic.edu.au/programs/playworlds
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:20
Playworlds | Play Based Pedagogy Research | Preshil
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PlayWorlds
at Preshil
Play Based Pedagogy Research Partnership with Monash University
Preshil began working in partnership with Monash University in 2015. The collaboration centred on Professor Marilyn Fleer’s
Conceptual PlayWorld model
which was part of the ARC (Australian Research Council) Project. The PlayWorld model focuses on creative and purposeful ways for young children to learn STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts through play and imagination. The collaborative research aims to support teachers to encourage girls to develop a love of, and hands-on involvement with, STEM. The partnership with Monash continued until 2018, when the last joint PlayWorld project between Preshil and Monash concluded. Since that time, Preshil has continued to develop a PlayWorld program which reflects the School’s long tradition of play-based teaching and learning.
PlayWorlds at Preshil
Preshil has always understood the importance of play in developing the imagination, and in the development of critical and abstract thinking. The value inherent in children’s play is surpassed by every child’s enjoyment of playing. This is why times for play are not relegated to recess times, but have always been included in our program as a tool for teaching. All play is purposeful, and children are inherently motivated to play. Play-based learning, in all its guises, acknowledges this.
Since 2019 Preshil has continued its commitment to innovative play pedagogy. While the involvement of Monash acted as a catalyst, Preshil has developed PlayWorlds, and an imaginative approach to enquiry, as a central element of the learning program. Preshil continues in its tradition of forward-thinking progressive education by being part of innovative world leading research focused on intentional teaching in play-based programs through the Conceptual PlayWorld model. Furthermore, Preshil is now taking this current research and making links with the longstanding traditions of play, including Playmaking which has endured for our children since the 1930s.
PlayWorlds in Action
Children and teachers establish a shared imaginative space for play, inspired by a story or work of literature. The children get to know the central characters, and develop a strong empathy with them through reading, listening, questioning, and imagining. From this foundational base, the children, and teachers, adopt characters from the story, or their real life experience, and begin to play together as play partners. Preshil teachers use this model as a way to create imaginary worlds in which to play and learn together. From within this space, a problem is posed which the children must resolve. Their empathy for the characters they discover, and inhabit, drives their motivation to work together to solve the problem and help their story book friends. The conceptual knowledge and skills required to solve the problem then become the focus of the intentional teaching.
Foundation Year (Prep)
Enquiry:
Humans are made up of systems
Concepts explored:
Systems Thinking – systems of the human body
Inspired by Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach.
James is so very lonely, so the children wanted to create a friend for him. He has his insect friends, but not a friend like him. The children wrote letters to James and wondered what qualities a friend has. The children flew in the giant peach to visit many characters who could help them design and build a robot friend for James. Together with the teachers, and guided by Leonardo da Vinci and Dr Cerebellum, the children explored systems thinking, built a robot, and then used Scratch Jr to program the moment when James will finally meet his robot friend.
This PlayWorld allowed teachers to plan opportunities for children to learn about STEAM, in particular features of a system, systems of the human body, engineering, coding through Scratch Jr, measurement, design, letter writing, and the characteristics of a friend.
Book a tour of Preshil
Book Now
Preshil Secondary School (Years 7-12)
12—26 Sackville Street
Kew, Victoria, Australia 3101
Telephone:
+61 3 9817 6135
Email:
preshil@preshil.vic.edu.au
Preshil Primary School (Kinder-Year 6)
395 Barkers Road
Kew, Victoria, Australia 3101
Telephone:
+61 3 9817 6135
Email:
preshil@preshil.vic.edu.au
Postal and Parking
Postal Address:
Preshil, The Margaret Lyttle Memorial School
395 Barkers Road Kew,
Victoria, Australia 3101
PRIVACY POLICY:
Click here to view our Privacy Policy
Parking for the Kindergarten and Primary School is available on Kildare Street off Barkers Road (opposite Arlington)
Parking for the Secondary School is available on the streets surrounding the campus.
© 2026 Preshil.
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Skip to main content
Close Search
PlayWorlds
at Preshil
Play Based Pedagogy Research Partnership with Monash University
Preshil began working in partnership with Monash University in 2015. The collaboration centred on Professor Marilyn Fleer’s
Conceptual PlayWorld model
which was part of the ARC (Australian Research Council) Project. The PlayWorld model focuses on creative and purposeful ways for young children to learn STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts through play and imagination. The collaborative research aims to support teachers to encourage girls to develop a love of, and hands-on involvement with, STEM. The partnership with Monash continued until 2018, when the last joint PlayWorld project between Preshil and Monash concluded. Since that time, Preshil has continued to develop a PlayWorld program which reflects the School’s long tradition of play-based teaching and learning.
PlayWorlds at Preshil
Preshil has always understood the importance of play in developing the imagination, and in the development of critical and abstract thinking. The value inherent in children’s play is surpassed by every child’s enjoyment of playing. This is why times for play are not relegated to recess times, but have always been included in our program as a tool for teaching. All play is purposeful, and children are inherently motivated to play. Play-based learning, in all its guises, acknowledges this.
Since 2019 Preshil has continued its commitment to innovative play pedagogy. While the involvement of Monash acted as a catalyst, Preshil has developed PlayWorlds, and an imaginative approach to enquiry, as a central element of the learning program. Preshil continues in its tradition of forward-thinking progressive education by being part of innovative world leading research focused on intentional teaching in play-based programs through the Conceptual PlayWorld model. Furthermore, Preshil is now taking this current research and making links with the longstanding traditions of play, including Playmaking which has endured for our children since the 1930s.
PlayWorlds in Action
Children and teachers establish a shared imaginative space for play, inspired by a story or work of literature. The children get to know the central characters, and develop a strong empathy with them through reading, listening, questioning, and imagining. From this foundational base, the children, and teachers, adopt characters from the story, or their real life experience, and begin to play together as play partners. Preshil teachers use this model as a way to create imaginary worlds in which to play and learn together. From within this space, a problem is posed which the children must resolve. Their empathy for the characters they discover, and inhabit, drives their motivation to work together to solve the problem and help their story book friends. The conceptual knowledge and skills required to solve the problem then become the focus of the intentional teaching.
Foundation Year (Prep)
Enquiry:
Humans are made up of systems
Concepts explored:
Systems Thinking – systems of the human body
Inspired by Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach.
James is so very lonely, so the children wanted to create a friend for him. He has his insect friends, but not a friend like him. The children wrote letters to James and wondered what qualities a friend has. The children flew in the giant peach to visit many characters who could help them design and build a robot friend for James. Together with the teachers, and guided by Leonardo da Vinci and Dr Cerebellum, the children explored systems thinking, built a robot, and then used Scratch Jr to program the moment when James will finally meet his robot friend.
This PlayWorld allowed teachers to plan opportunities for children to learn about STEAM, in particular features of a system, systems of the human body, engineering, coding through Scratch Jr, measurement, design, letter writing, and the characteristics of a friend.
Book a tour of Preshil
Book Now
Preshil Secondary School (Years 7-12)
12—26 Sackville Street
Kew, Victoria, Australia 3101
Telephone:
+61 3 9817 6135
Email:
preshil@preshil.vic.edu.au
Preshil Primary School (Kinder-Year 6)
395 Barkers Road
Kew, Victoria, Australia 3101
Telephone:
+61 3 9817 6135
Email:
preshil@preshil.vic.edu.au
Postal and Parking
Postal Address:
Preshil, The Margaret Lyttle Memorial School
395 Barkers Road Kew,
Victoria, Australia 3101
PRIVACY POLICY:
Click here to view our Privacy Policy
Parking for the Kindergarten and Primary School is available on Kildare Street off Barkers Road (opposite Arlington)
Parking for the Secondary School is available on the streets surrounding the campus.
© 2026 Preshil.
Close Menu
About Us
Principal’s Welcome
History of Preshil
The School
Margaret E Lyttle
Latest News
In the Media
Our ‘Courage’ Document
Educational Review 2024
Term Dates
Policies and Procedures
Policies and Procedures
Child Safety Policies
Employment
Our Community
Alumni & Friends of Preshil
Council and Association
Our Parents
Our Students
Our Students
Compass
Login
User Guide
Our Teachers
Our Traditions
Why Preshil?
Why Preshil?
Our Unique Environment
Our Unique Environment
Architecture, Heritage & Conservation Management
Location
Programs
Kindergarten
About
Primary
About
PlayWorlds
Secondary
About
VCE
VCE Vocational Major (VM)
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
International Baccalaureate
Year 9 Experience
Activities
Careers
Creative and Performing Arts
Art
Drama
Music
Wellbeing
Wellbeing Resources
Preshil SchoolTV
Library
Enrolment
Book A Tour
How To Enrol
How to Enrol
Enrolment Application
Transition
Fees and enrolment costs
Scholarships
Enquiry
Book a Tour