Why Play-Based Learning is Essential for Preschoolers
- Iouri Karpelov
- Mar 14, 2023
- 2 min read
As a parent, you may wonder how to help your preschooler learn and develop their skills. While traditional classroom-style learning is common, a growing body of research supports play-based learning as a fundamental approach for preschoolers. This blog post will explore why play-based learning is essential for preschoolers and provide tips on implementing this approach at home.
What is Play-Based Learning?
Play-based learning emphasizes the importance of play in a child's education. This approach involves using play to teach and engage children in their learning process. Children are encouraged to explore, create, imagine, and discover through play in a play-based learning environment.
Why is Play-Based Learning Essential for Preschoolers?
Development of Social and Emotional Skills
Play-based learning helps preschoolers develop social and emotional skills like cooperation, empathy, and problem-solving. Children learn to communicate with others, share, take turns, and develop self-regulation skills, all essential for success in school and life.
Improved Cognitive Skills
Play-based learning also helps preschoolers develop cognitive skills like creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Children learn to think creatively and develop problem-solving skills through imaginative play. They also learn to explore cause-and-effect relationships and develop their critical thinking ability.
Holistic Development
Play-based learning encourages holistic development, which means that it supports the development of the whole child, including their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. This approach recognizes children as unique individuals with different learning styles, needs, and abilities.
Improved Engagement
Play-based learning is more engaging for preschoolers than traditional classroom-style learning, and children are more motivated to learn when having fun and enjoying themselves. Play-based learning provides children with opportunities to learn in their own way, pace, and manner that is most meaningful and relevant to them.
How to Implement Play-Based Learning at Home?
Create a Safe and Engaging Play Environment
Set up a safe and engaging play environment for your child. Provide them with various toys, games, and materials that encourage exploration, creativity, and problem-solving.
Encourage Imaginative Play
Encourage imaginative play by providing your child dress-up clothes, pretend-to-play toys, and other materials that promote role-playing and make-believe.
Get Involved
Join your child in play activities and play-based learning. This will help to create a positive and supportive learning environment.
Support Learning Through Play
Use play to teach and support your child's learning. For example, you can use blocks to teach counting or playdough to teach shapes and colors.
Play-based learning is essential for preschoolers as it helps them develop their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills. It is a fun, engaging, and effective way for children to learn and explore the world around them. You can assist your child in learning by providing a safe and engaging play environment, encouraging imaginative play, getting involved in their activities, and supporting learning through play. Using play-based learning at home can help your preschooler develop essential skills that will benefit them.
*Sources consulted: This blog post includes information from https://www.eclearningil.org/
