|
With
regard to an early childhood program, have you ever heard someone remark,
"all the children do there is play. At good early childhood programs
there is a lot of play - and there should be!
Years
of research on children's learning and development document the many
benefits of play for children's intellectual, social, emotional, physical
and language development. Children at play are actively involved in
creating themes, exploring and establishing environments, solving
problems, and developing shared understandings.
Children
play in many ways. They play independently, sometimes near each other, but
with each child engrossed in his own activity. They engage in what is
called "parallel play , perhaps using each other's toys or even
talking, but not coordinating their play. They also play cooperatively,
organizing roles and scenarios for group play. As they get older, children
are capable of more cooperative, coordinated play. But all kinds of play
are valuable.
As
kids play with each other, they learn to see other children's points of
view and begin to become more empathetic and caring. They come to
understand customs and rules in their own culture and to appreciate those
of others. They learn to use language in new ways to describe their play
and to interact with others. And, in play, children develop their muscles
and coordination.
Adults
support children's play by providing space, opportunity and materials. We
set up areas where kids can play without fear of damaging furniture or
injuring themselves. We make sure that they have the time to choose and to
become engaged in their own play activities. And, when we provide them
with simple, interesting materials - no new fangled, expensive gadgets
required kids take it from there.
Play
is fun. But, it also is serious business that pays off big dividends to
its eager, young investors. |
|
When I
play Let's pretend, I learn...
When I
play with art materials, I learn...
-
Colors
-
color
mixing
-
properties
of matter
-
creativity
-
new
words
-
eye-hand
coordination
-
problems
solving
-
decision
making
When I read
a book or I am read to, I learn...
When I
play in the water or the sand I learn...
When I
play at the science center, I learn...
|
-
cooperation
-
how
things work shapes
-
textures
-
pride
in my work
-
independence
-
self-reliance
-
large
muscle development
-
categorizing
-
drawing
conclusions
-
problem
solving
-
new
words
-
eye-hand
coordination
-
properties
of matter
-
textures
|
