page_title: Anji Play
section_title: Philosophy
hierarchical_section_title: Anji Play / Philosophy
caption_attribution_description: English: Children in Anji, China interacting with Anji Play's Climbing Cubes
context_page_description: Anji Play is an early childhood curriculum designed by Cheng Xueqin, Director, Office of Pre-Primary Education, Anji County Department of Education, Zhejiang Province. The key elements that make up Anji Play are its pedagogy, site-specific environments, unique materials and integrated technology. The focus of the program is the participating children's self-determination in choosing what, where, and with whom to play and the role of the teacher as observer, particularly in instances of physical risk. Anji Play is the full-time curriculum of all public kindergartens in Anji County.
context_section_description: In Anji Play’s current implementation, children have at least two hours of free play every day. Play environments are outdoors with minimal structuring, and simple tools made of natural materials (i.e., ropes, light bamboo ladders, basic clay pots) are provided as toys, instead of objects sold and marketed as toys. During play time, teachers observe, document, and act as parallel participants.
  Anji Play is composed of simple tools made of natural materials such as clay pots, ropes, light bamboo ladders and other everyday objects like barrels and tires. Children in the Anji Play environment interact with these objects to create their own playground govern by their own rules. Inherently through Anji Play, children collaborate develop social and motor skills in order to play.
  Adults and instructors are advised to not intervene and instruct, but to observe. From an outside perspective, instructors are taught to trust the children and understand how children navigate conflict and collaboration.
  This style of non-instructed play defines the phrase '"True Play"'. Anji Play outlines the True Play philosophy in several categories (split between "Children's Rights" and "Teacher/adult responsibilities"): 
  Self-Determined Play
  Time and Space
  Reflection
  Expression
  Materials
  Environments
caption: Anji Play climbing cubes
exif: {}