The importance of incorporating a play based curriculum
Play is something every child looks forward to. It is where they will learn valuable skills to aid in the growth of their development. Play can be in many forms for example, purposeful play and child-initiated play. Child initiated play is self explanatory whereas purposeful play is devised and structured by the teachers or parents and it comes with objectives. Children are curious learners and would love to explore and make sense of the things around them. Hence, learning through play and exploration helps them to construct their own knowledge. Other than developing their cognitive skills, learning through play is important as it gives them experiences on how to deal with social and
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Most of the research articles agreed that it helps to promote creativity and self confidence (Hirsh-Pasek, 1991; MCYS Learning 2010). The skills that they learn through play is something they will need to face future challenges. With play-based learning, children are able to learn at their own pace and hone their decision making skills. They are able to be fully engage in the activities that they wish to do. Whereas when the learning is teacher directed, children are told what to do and are suppose to follow specific instructions. There is very little room for creativity and exploration which is needed for a child to make sense when he is learning about a new concept. The benefits of teacher directed curriculum is that the content of information in the lesson is planned out, therefore children are expected to memorise the concept or facts. Teachers most often to this by giving the children plenty of worksheets or flashcards and constant drilling is done. Such structure is aimed to prepare children for their future in primary …show more content…
It is not easy to pin point whether a child has understood a certain concept that was taught as chances are he/she either memorise the answers or copied from what is given by peers or teachers. There is little room for creative thinking or constructing their own understanding. In a kindergarten classroom, there has to be a balance of both types of curriculum. As teachers, we cannot expect children to be avid learners by voiding them of play. Play is where they can be exposed to rich, experiential learning which has a lifelong benefit compared to formal instructionalized teaching and standardized worksheets. When children are at play, they will have an opportunity at using and developing their problem solving skills by being creative with their solutions. This also helps them perform better in school tasks (Danksy, 1980). Some studies have shown that drilling on academics does not necessarily mean children develop cognitive skills ahead of time.
Kindergarten classrooms that follows either curriculum approaches as a whole can be counterproductive in developing skills. If its teacher-directed, the classroom becomes too structured. On the contrary, if its less structured coupled with ample play it can result in
Many theorists have tried to define play as a concept, however, no two agree on a set definition. Their backgrounds and induvial lifestyles influence the way they see the importance of play. Reed and Brown also believe that there isn’t an agreed definition of play because is something that is felt rather than done (Reed & Brown, 2000 cited in Brock, Dodd’s, Jarvis & Olusoga, 2009). In spite of this, it is clear that most theorists uphold the ethos that play is imperative to a child’s learning and development. There is a wide range of different studies and theories which helps us develop our own perception of what play is. In my personal experience I have found play to be a way of expressive our emotions, exploring and learning new things, thus
Play is instrumental in the healthy development of children. The development of play throughout an individual life is essential in providing the necessary methods to foster growth and development in critical developmental areas. According to Davies (2011), play is instrumental in providing a bridge for the child to transition from a toddler with a limited capacity to understand the world into a child in the middle years who can think logically. Play is also important in fostering cognitive development, social development, language and communication, moral development, self-regulation, and sense identity.
Today 40% of children suffer from ADHD, while 60% suffer from depression(Institute 3). Simple remedy: Structured Play. Structured play: is a type of play that is goal/objective based and generally has a structure as to how it should be carried out (Nelson Par 8). Contrary to structured play there is the idea of unstructured play. Unstructured play is a type of play that is unplanned which is the primary reason it is also termed as ‘spontaneous play’ or ‘free play’. This type of lacks adult supervision and guidance (Nelson Par 9). Over the last few years there has been a debate on whether early childhood playtime should be structured or unstructured. Early childhood playtime should be structured
Over the years, kindergarten has become less play oriented and more academically focused. While some believe that this is good for the students because they will be learning more and will be more prepared for 1st grade, others believe that the play time they are eliminated is doing more harm than good. In the essay, “Kindergartners get little time to play. Why does it matter?”, Christopher Brown believes that by eliminating this play time, the students are missing out on chances to grow not only academically but also socially and emotionally. Brown states, “Giving children a chance to play and engage in hands-on learning activities helps them internalize new information as well as compare and contrast what they’re learning with what they already
Infants play different from children who are three-years old. Infants at the age of eighteen months roll around on certain objects. For example, an infant might lean and roll around on a ball that is slightly inflated. Babies make noise as they play with other children. Infants also play with toys that interest them. There is usually soft furniture in infant play areas. Babies who are six months cannot walk therefore they can lie next to each other and make different noise with their mouth. Babies usually spend time playing on the floor.
An Article by Dr. Leong and Dr. Bodrova (2016) stated that play is beneficial to children’s learning especially when it reaches a certain degree of complexity. When they engage in play activities most of their early years, they learn to delay gratification and to prioritize their goals and actions. They also learn to consider the perspectives and needs of other people and to represent things significantly to regulate their behavior and actions in a cautious, intentional way.
The word “play” has numerous meanings to different people in different contexts. Therefore it cannot have one definition and is described in a number of ways. Smith (2010) describes play as involvement in an activity, purely for amusement and to take part for fun. That play is “done for it’s own sake, for fun, not for any external purpose.” (Smith, 2010. P4) Therefore, as one precise definition cannot be presented for the word ‘play,’ it is described in a number of ways such as social dramatic play. Briggs and Hanson (2012) portray social dramatic play as the building blocks of a child’s ability to accept the possibility to step into another world, building and developing on children’s higher order thinking, accentuating the child as a social learner. Another example of play is exploratory play, which is described as children being placed in an explorer or investigator role, to identify the cause or affect a resources that is presented to them has. (Briggs, M and Hanson, A. 2012) Games are also another example of play. They are included on the basis that playing games with rules, regardless of age, can develop a child’s intellectual capabilities along with their physical, behavioural and emotional health. (Briggs, M and Hanson, A. 2012).
All children play and it is something that most children do because they are having fun, but without realising children are developing and learning skills when they are engaged in play. Play helps stimulate the mind as it is practical and gives children the chance to explore and experience new situations. It can also ensure that children get to think by themselves and be spontaneous as they control their own play. Children get the chance to be creative and imaginative which develops independence for children. Play is vital for child development and helps children develop five main areas of development:
...ctive. Play is an essential learning tool and one that must not be ignored within the classroom. It is a catalyst to help children develop socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. It is not only an important part of a child’s development as a pupil but also a child’s development as an individual.
..., J., & Garzoli, E. (2007, November 11). The Effectiveness of a Play-Based Curriculum in Early Childhood Education. Retrieved from http://teachplaybasedlearning.com/8.html
In life, no action is absent of a reaction. Every effect is linked to a cause, whether seen or unseen and play is no exception. As adults, play is not a foreign concept to us, we just chose not to engage in it and have diminutive space for it reserved in our day-to-day schedules. However, it is essential in the lives of young children. In the moment, the benefits to play are invisible, yet they are there working. Play, like a Newton’s cradle, remains stationary while not in use and the energy remains in a potential state waiting to be activated. Now, imagine the Newton’s cradle as you are pulling back the first ball. The first ball is play in a child’s life, and the other balls are potential benefits.
Thinking back on my childhood, I first remember all the times I played outside in my backyard. I would pretend to dig up dinosaur bones or create imaginary realms of ancient lands; there I would perform diplomatic services for the people in need. I was usually alone, and those are some of my fondest memories. When I first decided to become a teacher and thought about what is important to my philosophy on how children learn, I immediately knew I was a strong believer in play. Although, many decision makers such as legislators and school district leaders believe in more academic types of learning styles, my paper will discuss why play is so powerful and important to children.
Children develop normally when they are exposed to different types of play that allow them to express themselves while using their imaginations and being physically active. According to the Center for Health Education, Training and Nutrition Awareness, “Play is child’s work”; this is true because it is a child’s job to learn and develop in their first few years of life, in order for them to do this, they play. Not only is playing a child’s full time job, the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights listed play as a right of every child. Through their full time job of play, the children develop emotionally, socially, physically, and creatively. Children need to participate in child-led play in order to facilitate healthy development of their minds, body, and creativity.
Before diving into my research, I reflected on the knowledge I already knew regarding play and play based learning. From experience, I know that play is an enjoyable activity for children, and even some adults. I know that there are different ways one can play. For example, playing with others is known as cooperative play and playing alone is considered solitary play. There are different types of play. For example, there is dress up or pretend games, which is considered dramatic, play and there is playing with building blocks which is constructive play. After my reflection I realized that I was more knowledgeable on the action of playing rather then the benefits of it.
In Kindergarten school, some parent believes play is the best way for young children to learn the conceptions, skills, and set a solid foundation for later school and life success. In the other hand, many parents disagree and believe play is a waste of time, messy, noisy, and uneducationall. I believe play is not waste of time, but it something worth to fight for, in this presentation I would show parent the main importance of some of the numerous kinds of play, and why play is a fundamental basis for improving children’s ability to succeed in school and life.