Part 3: Play-Based Learning, Using Your Child’s Natural Impulses
In this third and final article of In Search of Schools Near Me series, we explain the importance of play based learning. Play is crucial for children’s learning and development, often implemented through a play-based approach in preschool. This approach involves various forms of play, such as active play for physical development, imaginative play for social and emotional skills, and cognitive play for problem-solving and creativity.
While you may be focused on school academics and what type of nursery school lessons your child is going to have or the type of kindergarten activity sheets being used at a prospective school. Children have a natural inclination to play that allows for enjoyable, self-motivated learning experiences. In a play-based environment, educators carefully organise well age-appropriate, safe, and enjoyable games, fostering creativity and individualised learning.
Play Supports Various Aspects of Development
Cognitive Development
Play, whether individual or group, develops thinking, memory, and learning skills, encouraging problem-solving, imagination, and concentration.
• Activity: Puzzle-solving games or building with blocks.
Benefit: Enhances critical thinking, spatial awareness, and problem-solving.
• Activity: Memory games or storytelling.
Benefit: Improves memory retention, language development, and narrative skills.
• Activity: Imaginary play, creating stories or scenarios.
Benefit: Encourages creativity, imagination, and the ability to think abstractly.
Social and Emotional Development
Role-playing helps children work with others, build confidence, and manage emotions, fostering empathy and fairness.
• Activity: Role-playing scenarios like “playing house”, “pretend store” or “pretend pet shop.”
Benefit: Develops teamwork, cooperation, communication, and problem-solving skills, negotiate concepts, and exercise decision-making skills with peers.
• Activity: Engaging in group games that involve sharing and taking turns.
Benefit: Builds social skills, teamwork, and understanding of rules, teaches to control their emotions, fosters empathy and a sense of fairness by engaging in play alongside and with fellow children.
• Activity: Expressing emotions through dramatic play.
Benefit: Enhances emotional intelligence, self-expression, and empathy, cultivates self-confidence through both accomplishments and overcoming challenges.
Literacy and Numeracy Development
Numeracy activities and literacy activities using play contributes to language skills, writing, and understanding symbolic systems, laying the foundation for formal child reading, spelling, and numeracy.
• Activity: Reading books or storytelling sessions.
Benefit: Develops language skills, vocabulary, and early understanding of narrative structures.
• Activity: Scribbling, drawing, or engaging in artistic activities.
Benefit: Strengthens fine motor skills and lays the foundation for writing.
• Activity: Playing with counting toys or incorporating numbers into games.
Benefit: Introduces basic numeracy concepts, such as counting and recognising numbers.
Physical Development
Activities like climbing, running, and dancing enhance overall health, motor skills, and independence.
• Activity: Climbing on playground structures.
Benefit: Enhances muscle strength, coordination, and overall physical fitness.
• Activity: Dancing to music or rhythm.
Benefit: Improves coordination, balance, and promotes creative expression.
Final Thoughts
The above gives you a glimpse on the importance of incorporating play based learning in early grades. When children have fun doing activities, they are more engaged and learn better. When visiting a school be on the lookout for play based learning or play activities that make learning fun.
This In Search of Schools Near Me was brought to you by Wesley Primrose Academy of Cebu. Our school has adapted the British teaching method and curriculum for the Early Years Foundation Stage in which play and play-based learning is an integral part in the daily routines of the children at school. I hope you enjoyed this article, feel free to reach out to us if you have questions about play-based learning or selecting a Nursery, PreK or Kindergarten for your child. We are happy to speak with you and guide you on this important decision of selecting a school for your child.