Social Learning in Early Childhood Play Communities

Abstract

This article proposes that early childhood play communities, socially constructed by young children in educational settings, are important contexts of social interaction and social learning. Dewey believes the most important contexts for children's learning are social activities within communities and cultures. According to Dewey, a viable community is defined through the components of shared common interests, cooperative social interaction, and communication between play groups (Dewey 1966, p. 5, 24, 87).