Play is one of the most important parts of a child's life. Children learn through play and build relationships with other peers during play. According to Scales, et al., (1991) play is "that absorbing activity in which healthy young children participate with enthusiasm and abandon" (p. 15). I have worked with young children for over 20 years and I love to watch the play that was taking place, not just do an observation on the children playing but see how they were learning through the play they were engaged in. Children learn to play at a young age and as they grow older and grow developmentally then their play grows with them. The stages of play help teachers and parents see their children develop from just dumping out the blocks to then using the blocks to build castles and roads. Play is how a child learns; by doing, by engaging in conversations with other peers, by building upon knowledge they already have and from working with other children. Play helps set the foundation for our young children and it helps them problem solve, socially engage with others, and to appreciate and be proud of their accomplishments. I am a strong advocate for play and I voice my opinions and advocate for play when others (teachers I work with) feel that children can't learn through play. I picked this topic, learning through play, so I could build upon it for training for other teachers and parents to demonstrate the importance of play and why we must let the children play in the learning environment instead of mandating they sit at tables.
The chart we use in class helps to break down the information and it helps to organize ones thoughts and ideas for their research. The chart also helps keep information organized and in-line for the topic. We are able to build our sub-topics and ideas for research by using and finding credible and informative resources and information. The chart is a tool that helps us to build our research in a manner that is productive and sustainable. I find the chart difficult to complete at times, I question my own words when describing and adding information to the chart. It is a tool for personal use and it should have information that is necessary to have for research, I just second guess my choices of words and topics to implement into it.
Reference
Scales, B,; Almy, M.; Nicolopulou, A.; & Ervin-Tripp, S. (1991). Defending play in the lives of children. In B. Scales; M. Almy; A. Nicolopulou ; & S. Ervin-Tripp (Eds.). Play and the social context of development in early care and education, (pp. 15-31). New York: TEachers' College, Columbia University.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Learning Through Play
Play is one of the most important parts of a child's life. Children learn through play and build relationships with other peers during play. According to Scales, et al., (1991) play is "that absorbing activity in which healthy young children participate with enthusiasm and abandon" (p. 15). I have worked with young children for over 20 years and I love to watch the play that was taking place, not just do an observation on the children playing but see how they were learning through the play they were engaged in. Children learn to play at a young age and as they grow older and grow developmentally then their play grows with them. The stages of play help teachers and parents see their children develop from just dumping out the blocks to then using the blocks to build castles and roads. Play is how a child learns; by doing, by engaging in conversations with other peers, by building upon knowledge they already have and from working with other children. Play helps set the foundation for our young children and it helps them problem solve, socially engage with others, and to appreciate and be proud of their accomplishments. I am a strong advocate for play and I voice my opinions and advocate for play when others (teachers I work with) feel that children can't learn through play. I picked this topic, learning through play, so I could build upon it for training for other teachers and parents to demonstrate the importance of play and why we must let the children play in the learning environment instead of mandating they sit at tables.
The chart we use in class helps to break down the information and it helps to organize ones thoughts and ideas for their research. The chart also helps keep information organized and in-line for the topic. We are able to build our sub-topics and ideas for research by using and finding credible and informative resources and information. The chart is a tool that helps us to build our research in a manner that is productive and sustainable. I find the chart difficult to complete at times, I question my own words when describing and adding information to the chart. It is a tool for personal use and it should have information that is necessary to have for research, I just second guess my choices of words and topics to implement into it.
Reference
Scales, B,; Almy, M.; Nicolopulou, A.; & Ervin-Tripp, S. (1991). Defending play in the lives of children. In B. Scales; M. Almy; A. Nicolopulou ; & S. Ervin-Tripp (Eds.). Play and the social context of development in early care and education, (pp. 15-31). New York: TEachers' College, Columbia University.
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Children gain so many life skills through play such as problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, and the ability to self-regulate, all essential abilities to become independent learners. I think that it is vital for all professionals to recognize and understand the importance of play and why we should encourage it. If I can assist you in any way please let me know. Great Post!
ReplyDeleteMelissa,
ReplyDeleteI love the picture that you chose as the opening to this blog post! It is so appropriate and it shows children learning at their best! It is so important for children to play because play is one of the biggest windows in learning!
Melissa, great post...I love it! I play all the time and my kids join in and take over all the time. The one thing that I have seen children do is mimic what they learn in the adult world and apply it to their own. Have you noticed that when they are in active play, they don't want grown-up interaction unless you are invited? lol
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so nice. Working with young children play is so much a big part of children and majority of the time if play is part of their learning they will learn it quick. Actually they will never forget it because it was fun to them and at the same time children be learning. So yes you have a good topic to learn more about. LOl I love how your blog is too.