FYI

The Power of Play

Have you ever heard someone remark about an early childhood program - even ours perhaps - "All the children do there is play?"  At good early childhood programs there is a lot of play and there should be!

Years of research on children's learning and development document the many benefits of play for children's intellectual, social, physical, and language development.  Children at play are actively involved in creating themes, exploring and establishing environments, solving problems, and developing shared understandings.

Children play in many ways.  They play independently (solitary play), sometimes near each other but with each child engrossed in his own activity.  It is typical for young children (3 yrs old) to engage in what is called parallel pay.  Perhaps using each others' toys, or even talking, but not coordinating their play.  Four year old children often play cooperatively, organizing roles and scenarios for group play.  As they get older, children are capable of more cooperative, coordinated play.  But all kinds of play are valuable.

Through play children have the opportunity to grow in all areas of development.  As children play with each other, they learn to see other points of view and begin to become more empathetic and caring (social/emotional).  They come to understand customs and rules in their own culture and to appreciate those of others (social studies).  They learn to use language in new ways to describe their play and to interact with others (language/literacy).  In play, children develop their muscles and coordination by running , climbing, kicking balls, using scissors, pegboards and puzzles (physical).  Children plan and create masterpieces using art materials and blocks (creative).  Throughout our day, children observe and discover objects, actions and relationships (science).

Adults support children's play by providing space, opportunity, and materials.  We set up areas where children can play without fear of damaging furniture or injuring themselves.  We make sure that they have the time to choose and to become engaged in their own play activities.  And when we provide them with simple, interesting materials - no new fangled, expensive gadgets require - children take it from there.

Play is fun.  But it also is serious business that pays big dividends to its eager, young investors.

Family Friendly Communication for Early Childhood Programs

Deborah Diffiy and Kathy Morrison, editors

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