Abstract
Abstract:This article highlights the importance of play as a learning approach in early physicseducation. It demonstrates the concept of an innovative didactic method that combines children’sfree play with physics learning in kindergarten. This play-based learning approach enables childrento experience and recognize physical laws in a self-directed, action-oriented, and playful manner.The article provides concrete insights into how kindergarten teachers can stimulate physics-relatedlearning moments, starting from free-play situations. Moreover, it points out the teacher’s crucialrole in creating suitable play environments, providing feedback in play, and facilitating sustainedshared thinking after play. The article is based on the didactic development project “je-desto”, whichaims to promote play-based science learning in kindergarten by familiarizing kindergarten teacherswith this promising didactic approach. Accordingly, this article provides kindergarten teachers andexperts in subject didactics an answer to what play-based physics learning can look in practice.