Value of Play

799 Words4 Pages
The Value of Play in a Preschool Curriculum ECE 351 Play & Learning for the Young Child Instructor: Ashford University August 8, 2011 Abstract Many parents still look at play as just the fun, and have not been able to see the value in what children are learning and developing as well. Leo F. Buscaglia has stated it well, “It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them.” When children are engaged in play in a content-rich environment, they develop their social and motor skills as well as beginning to make sense of the world around them (Maine Early Learning Guidelines, 2005). This helps children to build the important foundations needed to become learners with enthusiasm, and grow into healthy, responsible adults (Maine Early Learning Guidelines, 2005). In a preschool setting with a varied of play center choices to play in, preschool children can develop social and emotional, cognitive, physical, and language skills necessary for school readiness. This paper will discuss an example of how a child can learn through play in each of these areas of development. Learning through Play An age appropriate, content-rich environment that allows children to explore and play creates energy and enthusiasm that historically, has put a drive to development that is inseparable (Van Hoorn, Nourot, Scales, Alward, 2011). When teachers are engaged in children’s play it helps to enhance their learning through all the areas of development. Cognitive skills are developed through children interacting with people and materials in their environment. As they explore in hands on activities they are learning about patterns, relationships, problem solving and processing of information necessary to help them succeed in school. An activity such as

More about Value of Play

Open Document