Teaching through Play: Preparing the Learning Environment

Preparing the Learning Environment is the first book in the Teaching Through Play series — a collection of practical handbooks written by experienced educators for teachers bringing play and inquiry into the primary classroom.

Written by Dr. Sarah Aiono and Linda Cheer, this guide offers clear, actionable strategies for creating engaging, inclusive, and thoughtfully designed learning spaces that support child-led exploration, social interaction, and curriculum-connected discovery.

Inside you’ll find:

• Guidance on setting up both indoor and outdoor learning areas
• Ideas for using loose parts and open-ended materials
• Insights into how space and environment influence behaviour and learning
• Practical tips for teachers in junior and middle primary settings
• Real-world examples drawn from New Zealand classrooms

Whether you're just beginning your play-based journey or deepening your current practice, this book offers the inspiration and clarity you need to create environments where children — and teachers — thrive.

Perfect for:

• Primary school teachers (Years 0–6)
• Play-based practitioners
• PLD teams and school leaders
• Initial teacher education students
• Schools designing environments aligned with local curriculum requirements.