Early Childhood Education: Learning is Child’s Play

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Learning is Child’s Play

It took me some time to decide what I would like the thrust of this paper to be on. And though I tossed several ideas around- how children play- kept circling back around. I feel that, letting children play is vital to healthy development. Some have even argued that play is the primary way that children learn verbal and logic skills. Playing with other children also expands a child’s understanding of him/herself and others (Fernie 2000). So, throughout my placements I noted the differences in how children play. This paper will attempt to discuss the differences and similarities that I observed.

The infants and toddlers at the Concord Daycare were very imaginative. One particular day, Russ carried around a Dinosaur, a pretend pot, and a purse. It never occurred to him that this was a very odd assortment of toys to be playing with. In the kindergarten classroom however, none of the boys would play with a purse. I am reminded of Benjamin in my kindergarten placement. He perceived that it was not socially acceptable for a boy to carry around a purse or pretend to cook with a pot. Russ, at the daycare, is three years old and he is in the imaginative stage of play (Cunningham2002). Russ could make a pillowcase into a superhero’s cape. Benjamin, however is five and he is interested in structured games and Lego’s that he can build with.

I am also reminded of one of the preschool girls, Maddie, who pretended to be everybody’s “Mommy”. She would walk around the preschool room with gloves, high heels, and a police hat on- while bossing everyone around as little children. This is different from the Kindergarten room where the little girls played “teacher and students”. I observed that this...

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... how they learn, they do not stop and then start and then stop again.

As a future teacher in the Early Education department, I recommend that parents and teachers allow time for young children to explore themselves through play. I think that it is especially to promote a physical outlet for young children to expel energy while playing. Further, I believe that children will learn verbal and social skills by interacting with their peers. Children will learn what is acceptable behavior by being around other children. Many of them will also develop language, because they have to communicate. I conclude by stating that “free play” is not just wasted time, but when properly administered, a field full of learning.

References

Fernie, D (April, 2000). The Nature of Child’s Play. www.kidsource.com

Cunningham, J (January, 2002). Play On. www.spiked.com

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