The Importance of Play at Preschool

Earlier this week we discussed the importance of play to a child’s development. We also discussed the progression of how children develop important skills though play. Here are some more benefits of play and what to look for in a preschool setting that fosters learning through play.

What to look for in preschool play spaces

* Do children seem engaged and happy?

* Do the children have choices for types of play?

* Is there an organizational system such as shelving, labeled containers, or cubbies?

* Are areas clearly distinguished for different interests like dressing up, art, etc.?

* Is there an outdoor play space, with barriers on all sides, kid-safe landscaping, and a soft surface under the play structure?

* Are toys clean, in good shape, and set up for play? They should be inviting to kids, but too many toys can be overwhelming?

Benefits of play
1. Play fosters social development

Children ages 4 to 5 are unable to think beyond their needs. Play allows them to work with others, developing awareness of other children around them. The preschool setting provides a great environment for kids to learn about how to solve problems and communicate with others.

2. Play helps with physical and motor development.

Perceptual-motor ability, or the capacity to coordinate what you perceive with how you move, is an essential skill that preschoolers. A three-year-old who is playing in the sand box digging, scooping, and pouring sand into a container must learn how to match his or her perception of the space in front of them with actual hand movements, this type of activity is essential in developing strong motor skills.

3. Play facilitates cognitive learning.

Play is vital to developing real cognitive skills and concepts through enjoyable, real, concrete, and meaningful activities. For example, a child is able to comprehend that 3 + 2 = 5 means ‘putting together’ his toy blocks by stacking them. By keeping track of a score in a soccer game, the child is demonstrating a cognitive understanding of numbers.

4. Play enhances language development.

Children build language skills through cooperative play. Children often talk to themselves while playing alone. Soon other children playing nearby begin to repeat what they hear and eventually they start talking to each other. This develops into back-and-forth conversation during play that becomes increasingly sophisticated by age.



Sources: http://www.articlecity.com

http://www.greatschools.org