Educational Play
Why is Play so Important
The critical years between birth and age eight are a time for developing attitudes of self worth and learning about the world around them and how it works. These years are best enhanced by a learning environment that offers developmentally appropriate opportunities for children in the home as well as in the school.
Educational Play
Each child needs to progress at his/her own pace and style of learning through the various stages. Encourage but do not pressure learning. Respect childhood and know certain achievements must be met before a child will be ready to move a head. Because all aspects of growth are interrelated, consider the child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. Always consider the Whole Child.
A Chance to Develop Through Play
Most children have an inquiring mind and need to explore personal feelings. They need to be able to create through curiosity imagination and experiments. They can broaden their interests through new hobbies and experiences. This is the foundation for formal learning,
A Chance to Learn While Playing
Childre need to learn how to makes friends and build relationships, to work in groups both large and small. Just as we need to respect each other children need to learn to respect the rights of others. this too is learned through educational play.
A Chance to Transform During Play
Transforming materials into meaningful symbols during play allows children to work through who and what they want to become and express their self image and make impressions on the world around them.
A Chance for Understanding
Play is also a time to enjoy the world and what it means to them. During play they learn problem solving skills and the importance of themselves. Children are their own person with their own personality so having developmentally appropriate opportunities allows them to grow cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. Play is so important to all these aspects of growth.
