How to support optimal early childhood development
Play is often talked about as if it were a relief
from serious learning,
but for children
play is serious learning.
(Mr. Rogers)
Play-based learning is the best kind of learning for children. This 3-part series will explore how to support optimal early childhood development through play. In this first post of the series I will discuss the philosophy and benefits of play-based learning.
Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
We now know lack of play is detrimental to children’s development, well-being and resilience. Research shows that play is important to healthy brain development.
And yet children are spending less and less time playing. There is a growing emphasis on academics and scheduled adult-directed activities. Screen time is replacing play time. Play is taken away as a form of discipline, to teach a lesson. If a child ‘falls behind academically’ their play time is replaced with more academics. Parents seek out academic based childcare programs.
Early childhood educators that promote play-based learning are often asked, “Do they just play?” or “When do they learn?” As you’ll see throughout this post, they learn as they play.
Play-Based Learning Philosophy
Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. That is, children and young people determine and control the content and intent of their play, by following their own instincts, ideas, and interests, in their own way for their own reasons. (https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_power_of_play_part_4_characteristics_of_play)
Play-based learning happens spontaneously when children are given the opportunity to play, when they have the time and a safe environment for exploring, appropriate play materials, and a caregiver that encourages exploration and provides a secure, safe base to return to as needed.
Play-Based Learning Benefits:
There are so many play-based learning benefits. Here are the major benefits to play based learning:
•nurtures empathy
•fosters body control and co-ordination
• develops resilience through problem solving, and decision making
• builds confidence as children can challenge themselves emotionally, mentally and physically in an environment that they recognize is safe to fail in.
•promotes self-awareness and executive functioning
•improves all areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development
Research on Play-Based Learning
Play has been shown to help children adjust to the school setting and even to enhance children’s learning readiness, learning behaviors, and problem-solving. (Institute of Child Psychology)
Don’t just take my word for it. Dr. Peter Gray talks about play-based learning in this short video.
Play-Based Learning Examples
It can be challenging for adults to see the learning that occurs during play. It requires a mindset shift to recognize that learning can actually be a fun process for children.
Play based learning is like a scaffold; each experience brings a deeper understanding to knowledge the child already has, allowing the child to expand and connect this knowledge to other areas of their life. This ultimately helps build resilience and independence for our children.
Here are some common examples of play-based learning:
A child picks up a block, holds it to their ear and says ‘hello.’ This is the beginning of an understanding of technology and its purpose.
A child notices that they need six Lego people to put two people in each of their three cars. This is the beginning of addition and multiplication.
A child discovers that there is a red block, blue block, red block and adds a blue block. This is an awareness of patterns.
A child builds a tower and knocks it down. They are exploring gravity, balance and cause and effect. If they build the tower and it falls down, they are problem solving and maybe processing frustration.
A child offers a ‘bowl of soup’ they made with sand and water. They are practicing roles, caring for others and recognizing change of states (sand to mud).
A child pretends to be a doctor and gives someone a needle. They are practicing roles, processing their experience and feelings and caring for others.
A child grabs a toy from another child and the other child cries. They are learning about the needs and feelings of others and conflict resolution.
A child tries to climb up the slide. They are learning about their body, space, slope, and challenge.
A baby grasps a rattle, shakes it, and then puts it to their mouth. They are learning about the world through their senses.
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. These concrete play based experiences lay the foundation for future learning, when more abstract concepts will be introduced to the child.
Conclusion
Let them play!
Provide time and space for your child to play, even if it’s chunks of time squeezed between scheduled activities. Observe with curiosity and awareness. Notice the play-based learning as your child explores, experiments and engages. Marvel at the competence and mastery.
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