Importance of Play-Based Learning in Early Childhood

Abstract

For a number of years part of my role was to incorporate books into educational programs for preschoolers. This did not always succeed in engaging the children, so after investigating what and how parents wanted their children to learn I also incorporated play-based learning into the program. In my school placements as well I observed how play-based learning engaged students, compared to excluding play. This does not mean the importance of children engaging with literature and other supportive methods should be overlooked: My story time sessions, supported with play-based activities, helped to engage children in a fun way to become literate. At the same time, while children from different cultures may not play in the same way, they learn best when engaged in play. From classroom observation it was evident that with play-based learning opportunities children remained continually engaged in learning, constructing new knowledge and building on existing knowledge to increasingly develop their cognitive, social and emotional worlds through conversation, role play, experimentation and exploration, observation, imagination, modelling, scaffolding and encouragement. Clearly all educators should provide play-based learning opportunities to help children become the best citizens they can be socially, emotional, cognitively, and physically, both in their early years and as they progress throughout life.