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Ask a preschooler to play, and it won’t take long for them to find a game or come up with their own. As it turns out, kids are naturally great at having fun, and they can even learn from these experiences. Playing is critical for early child development and presents a unique opportunity to improve valuable life skills. The following guide explores the significance of play in early childhood education, as well as the various ways parents can contribute.

What Can Children Learn Through Play?

Many adults aren’t aware of the educational merit of playtime. Recreation teaches lessons that can’t always be taught in the classroom because they are often self-discovered. There are several ways to play, and each method focuses on different abilities. Through arts and crafts, children can enhance their creativity and hone their fine motor skills. Active play includes running, jumping, dancing, and climbing, and these activities build strength and improve coordination and flexibility. Blocks, puzzles, and other building games help kids learn to recognize and categorize shapes and colors while exercising their reasoning abilities. Even if these lessons aren’t overt, children are always learning and developing through play.

Why Is Learning Through Play Essential?

early child developmentPlay is the primary way that children learn. It’s a key facilitator of early child development, and for this reason, the best quality child care centers and preschools put aside substantial amounts of time per day for playtime. Curiosity, adventurousness, and creativity allow children to explore and learn about the world around them. Solitary games allow them to practice skills at their own pace and roleplay social situations. Group play leads to communication and cooperation, which fosters healthy relationships.

How Can Parents Encourage Educational Play?

As a parent, it’s important to support early child development by encouraging effective, age-appropriate learning. Give your little one plenty of room in safe, clean environments for playtime, both inside and outdoors. While you don’t need to fill the house with toys, provide them with enough material to amuse themselves in a variety of ways. For instance, a ball can be used for many different sports, and an art kit will facilitate all sorts of projects. Get involved with playtime. Ask questions about your child’s activities, turn games into fun teaching moments, and don’t be afraid to get silly when they do. When you emphasize the importance of play, you’re showing your child the value of their creativity, ideas, and abilities.

 

 

Choose a preschool that understands the connection between play and education. At Plainville Early Learning Center in Plainville, CT, their teachers nurture all areas of early child development. Their Handwriting Without Tears program promotes natural learning in areas of motor control, literacy development, and math skills through play. These educators are committed to teaching children critical lessons in a way they’ll understand. To request a tour of their facilities, call (860) 747-3321 or visit their website to read their mission statement. 

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