It’s no secret that young children love playing. But how is play-based learning beneficial? Turns out, there are plenty of proven benefits that showcase children’s need to learn and grow through playing.
In this blog, we will explore what it means to incorporate play into learning and how five key benefits of play-based learning help to encourage healthy, positive development for children’s early learning.
What is “play-based learning”?
The different types of play-based learning are:
1. Child-directed learning: this is the most ideal type of play for young children, in which they take the lead in their playing, letting their imagination and interest guide them to learning more about themselves and the world around them. This includes examples such as artistic activities, imaginative games like dressing up or playing ‘make-believe,’ and exploring playgrounds, parks and new spaces.
2. Structured play-based learning: this is when play-based learning is more organized, structured and usually led by a teacher/grown-up. For example, play-based learning can happen through music and dance classes, helping a child do a puzzle and guiding them through engaging art activities.
What are the benefits of play-based learning?
Whether led by the child or teacher, learning that involves playing is an effective tool to foster healthy development in young children in various ways.
1. Play-based learning builds confidence.
Children build confidence through playing, especially when they are allowed to explore new things for themselves and spark their interest and imagination. Child-directed play often fosters confidence and independence as children learn in a self-directed method, making sense of the world around them on their own, and in the process, growing more confident and self-assured in their capabilities and understanding.
2. Play-based learning develops social skills, language and communication skills.
Playing encourages children to interact and communicate, benefiting their essential development of social skills, language and communication. For example, children learn how to work together by playing together, agreeing on how to use certain toys/materials and exploring new activities, ideas and spaces together. In everything from playing on the playground together to sharing toys, these social experiences help young children develop stronger communication, social skills and collaboration skills, encouraging them to forge deeper connections and meaningful relationships.
3. Play-based learning teaches children to care about others and the environment.
Through exploring new spaces and interacting with peers, teachers and the world during play-based learning, children also learn to care more about others and the environment around them. For example, as children learn how to work together during self-directed play-based activities, they develop key emotional skills, like empathy, self-advocacy and increased social awareness.
4. Play-based learning contributes to positive cognitive development.
Play-based learning, both structured and child-directed curriculum, encourages more cognitive development. By exploring new materials, spaces and experiences, young children connect and refine pathways in the brain, learning how to reason and think through new ideas and activities. Learning through engaging, play-based activities (for example, building blocks, puzzles, etc.) will nurture children’s cognitive abilities to think for themselves and problem-solve by overcoming challenges.
5. Play encourages the development of physical skills and healthy physical activity.
In addition to cognitive development, children also develop physical and motor skills and gain more active play time through play-based learning. Healthy physical activity is essential for children and can range from the structured play of guided sports or swimming lessons to free play time on the playground.
At our Vancouver child care and early learning centres, our curriculum combines structured and child-directed learning to lead children to their full potential. A healthy amount of educational free play time, guided by the children’s own imaginations and interests, combined with structured, teacher-led lessons, provides young children with the full advantage (and fun) of their early learning experiences.
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Rainforest Learning Centre Vancouver child care centres are located in North Vancouver, Langley and Coquitlam and serve the surrounding areas of Upper Lonsdale, Central Lonsdale, Metro Vancouver, Burnaby, North Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey and White Rock. We offer group daycare, all-day preschool for ages 2 1/2 to 5, infant and toddler care for ages 1 to 3, half-day preschool for ages 3 to 5, and before- and after-school care for ages 5 to 12. Learn more here.