In a world filled with schedules, deadlines, and structured routines, there exists another world. Where imagination rules, laughter echoes through the air, and learning occurs in the form of different types of play.
Yes, we are talking about learning while playing or more precisely, play-based learning. There is a continuous cycle of learning going on when children play. Kids unconsciously observe their environment and learn new concepts.
How do people meet with each other?
How do friends talk to each other?
How do parents behave at home and outside?
Your child observes all these things and they adopt the same behavioral patterns while growing up. The only thing children enjoy is playing. So if their learning environment is playful, they learn more easily and retain that knowledge for a longer period. A recently published meta-analysis finds that guided play was more effective for teaching academic content than direct instruction for children younger than eight.
Learning is not restricted to traditional methods. Such as rote memorization and passive instructions. It is a blend of creativity and eagerness to learn. It can easily be achieved by creating a play-based learning environment. It enhances the problem-solving skills, emotional skills, creativity, and cognitive development of children.
Let’s discuss some major benefits of play-based learning in early childhood education.
- CREATIVITY
Kids are very curious from the moment of their birth. They are eager to explore their surroundings and make conceptions about it. An environment where children can learn through play promotes creativity. Whether it’s through dramatic play, sensory exploration, or cooperative games, every moment spent in play is an opportunity for growth and development.
kids use their creativity to build different shapes and figures with colorful blocks. They learn to use their cognitive skills to create something new. Hence it promotes creativity in children.
- IMPROVED MOTOR SKILLS
Free play helps children to move their muscles more frequently while playing. It enhances their motor skills as well.
Childhood holds immense importance in the development of motor skills. In goal-oriented play activities such as walking on a balancing beam, arranging blocks, and locomotor jumping, children use their motor skills along with fun and entertainment.
According to the National Institute of Health, the age of 5-6 years is best for the development of motor skills. If your child is learning in a play-based environment, they develop physical growth and intellect.
- COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Cognitive development counts in the benefits of play-based learning in early childhood. It helps children to use their cognitions in critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. kids learn to communicate with peers while playing. This helps to develop language skills.
When teachers use open-ended questions, kids use their critical thinking to give different answers. It enhances their cognitive abilities and learning experience.
- EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
A play-based learning environment promotes emotional development. As the kids play together, they learn to express their emotions through different ways including words.
Kids under the age of 3-4 years show basic emotions such as happiness, sadness, excitement, and anger. When they reach the age of 4-5 years, they use words to express their emotions.
While playing, kids often indulge in quarrelsome situations and little fights. It helps them understand their emotions and express them. Which in turn results in. the development of emotional skills.
- SOCIAL SKILLS
Social skills are the basic skills we use in our daily lives to interact with other people. While growing up, it is necessary to learn social skills to interact with people.
In the continuum of play-based learning, kids learn to interact with fellow kids. They share their thoughts and playing experiences with each other. Moreover, they exchange their creative ideas with each other.
It results in the development of social skills that help children to interact with people as they grow.
CONCLUSION
Play-based learning is a holistic approach to learning. It encounters all major domains of learning as discussed earlier. Children do not merely just develop academic skills in play-based learning. Their minds and bodies both are nurtured. When preschool classrooms turn into playgrounds, kids develop a love to learn with curiosity. Early childhood educators should use different playful activities while teaching. After all, learning is not a destination. It is a lifelong journey, so let your kid learn in a playful environment with one laughter moment at a time.
