As far as early childhood learning is concerned, play-based education has been among the best pedagogies when it comes to teaching young learners in Prep or Foundation Stage. This important age is that the children are naturally inquisitive and want to know everything, seek to explore, and want to learn things with the touch of hands. My Teaching Cupboard provides a mix of original, effective resources and activities to ensure enjoyment, participation, and significance of every learning experience of young learners.
Play, as noted is vital to development as it helps in the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional processes of children and youth.
Why Play based Learning is important in Early Education
Young children enjoy exploring and learning as they do it with eager participation. It is proven that young learners remember things better when they are playing around, doing experiments and exploring things. The following are some major advantages of following this method:
- Enhances creativity and imaginations Children spontaneously perform role plays, creation of scenarios and problem solving.
- Acquires social skills Group play creates an atmosphere of cooperation, sharing and communication.
- Stimulates development of the mind Play promotes literacy, arithmetic and critical thinking.
- Promotes emotional health Children get to express themselves and gain self confidence through play.
Good Play-based Learning Intervention Methods
Here are a few practical tips about play based learning ideas:
1. Role-play and dramatic play
Set up themed corners of play such like a shop, hospital, or kitchen. This helps in stimulating imagination, language and problem solving.
2. Activities for the Sensory Play
Engage children by using materials such as sand, water, playdough and materials with textures to provide child with enhanced senses and development of fine motor skills.
3. Play-performance of Storytelling
Use books, puppets and props together to bring stories to life. Children are able to perform roles, boosting their knowledge and word power.
4. Outdoor Exploration
Nature walks, scavenger activities, and outdoor games allow the child to relate to the environment as well as enhancing body movements.
5. Numeracy and Literacy Games Activities
Use counting games, alphabet puzzles, matching activities to engage children in learning core skills and make it fun and interactive.
How I use my Teaching Cupboard with Prep and Foundation Stage children
My Teaching Cupboard offers great quality of high grade ready to use teaching materials which contains play-based learning. It has a wide variety of worksheets that you can print, activity packs, interactive games, and the like, to keep the learning experience lively.
- Some features include
- Literacy resources
- Numeracy practical tasks
- Templates of creative arts and crafts
- Themed learning packs to use in the different seasons, holidays, and special events
Having incorporated these resources, you will spend less time preparing your activities and be absolutely certain that they are both informative and entertaining and productive.
What is play- based learning?
Play-based learning- Learning is designed as children are taught through guided as well as free play instead of formal instruction. It fosters modality, creativity and problem-solving and learning become a fun experience. In Prep and Foundation Stages, play enables children to develop cognitive, social, emotional and physical learning skills.
American Academy of Pediatrics (2007).
Play-based strategies can be used because of numerous reasons. In addition to the cognitive enriching properties of play as well as the opportunity play generates to make learning a meaningful and lasting experience, play also encourages a love of discovery that extends long after childhood.
Yes, your students will continue to achieve and surpass academic standards AND they will develop into autonomous thinkers, strong communicators, and life-long learners. Play is an empowering thing!
Enhance user participation happening through visual learning
Visuals are also a very big part of making a play-based learning strategy more successful: Challengers in the prep and foundation stage excel better when they have visual cues, colourful diagrams and manipulative activities.
The development of a Play-rich environment
An adequately prepared play-based environment allows the development of exploration, creativity, and collaboration.
Once kids find themselves on the territory of a place made special in accordance with their needs and interests, they are bound to explore it with utmost curiosity.A well elaborated environment will enable students to learn more and engage. What is the best way to create an engaging and play-focused atmosphere in full alignment with the goals of your learning curriculum and the requirements of all the children?
Providing Play Spaces That Are Interesting
Creating varied, interesting play environments within your classroom will help to make sure that every kid is provided with meaningful learning experiences. Every area ought to promote exploration, generate creativity and meet curriculum objectives.
Some of the main areas to cover are listed below:
Dramatic Play Corner: Put items in here that can be used in role-play and the imaginary play. This skill set develops oral language, develops creativity, and increases social-emotional learning. You may include full costumes, themed props (doctor kit or post office set-up), and environmental print.