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Play is a vehicle for learning and rests at the core of innovation and creativity. It has long been acknowledged that there is a strong link between play and learning for young children, especially in the areas of problem solving, language acquisition, literacy, and mathematics, as well as the development of social, physical, and emotional skills.
-- NAEYC, 2009; Fullan, 2013; Ontario Ministry of Education, 2014
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Learning Through Play
- Develops language skills, problem solving skills, social communication, self regulation and focus
- Makes learning fun and engaging听
- Allows for practice of a variety of skills听
- Brings families together听
Here are some ways to play and explore at home:
- Play board games together听
- Use your imagination to pretend play (e.g. create a store, doctor鈥檚 office, a restaurant, etc.)听
- Create using loose parts (e.g., cardboard boxes, cups, sticks, rocks). Ask children to tell you about their creations听
- Spend some time in nature. Talk about what you both see, hear and wonder
- Talk about and investigate children鈥檚 interests (e.g. if the child has an interest in cars, ask children what questions they have, spend time observing cars in the community and share what you notice about cars, read nonfiction books or watch videos about cars to help answer children鈥檚 questions)
Additional resources for families to support play and exploration at home