Play: The Heart of Early Learning
Children learn when they play!!
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Play is way beyond recreation or fun; it is how young children learn best. Play-based
learning helps them to achieve cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.
Children learn while they discover their surroundings, while playing and constructing
using blocks, engaging in imaginary play or games played outdoor. They learn how to
think critically, cooperate and become strong. It enhances their fine and gross motor
skill development through play, linguistic skills and emotional capacities through
learned behavior's.
Play based learning enables children’s mind to be filled with curiosity, wonder and be
ahead of the learning curve. They also learn to develop a questioning attitude while
formulating hypotheses and understanding the idea of a growth mind-set. When
interacting with peers, children understand how to share, empathize and work as a
collaborative team, these skills will take them far in the classroom and the real world
for years to come.
My visit to a 102-year-old school in Bhanvnagar founded on Gijubhai Badheka's
philosophy allowed me to witness first-hand the significant influence of play-based,
hands on learning. Play is critical because effective play allows a child to become self-
confident, autonomous and a versatile learner. It's essential that teachers and parents
acknowledge this notion of learning beyond the textbook. Learning comes from
storytelling, music, art, movement and project learning.
Parents and educators should encourage and design an engaging environment that
supports different types of play- imaginative, social, solitary, physical and
constructive play with organized spaces and age appropriate materials.
Children learn and benefit through these kinds of play:
Imaginative Play done through storytelling, pretend and role play helps
children to foster their creativity, express themselves and take charge of their
emotions.
Physical Play like hopscotch, obstacle course and areas for active play builds
their coordination and strength.
Constructive Play can be done by providing them materials for building,
Playdough and STEM activities this enhances their analytical and problem
solving skills.
Social Play develops when they play board games, collaborate with peers in
group projects. This encourages in building relations, teaches them teamwork
and strengthens their emotional intelligence.
Solitary Play with the help of puzzles and sensory activities sharpens their
concentration and focus.
As we continue on the journey of education and curriculum development for the
future, let's continue to implement play for the joy of learning.
Asha Thakkar
Pre-Primary Head, CNM School