WHY WE 'PLAY' IN KINDERGARTEN - Play is children's work. Many studies
document the importance of active learning. Through play, children are
learning to make choices and decisions for themselves. Through play, all
facets of development are enhanced.
"Play is how children learn what no one can teach them."-Lawrence Frank
Here are some of the learnings that occur in "play" activities.
Fingerplays, Songs, and Silly Rhymes:
Develops phonemic awareness which is vital to success in reading. Develops oral
language. Children are able to remember things taught through rhyme and song
faster and easier.
Block Building
Builds math and science concepts such as:
Geometry and Spatial Relations
Balance
Gravity
Stability
Encourages problem solving and oral language development
Helps with gross motor development
Develops classifications skills
Housekeeping
Develops early writing behaviors (messages by phone, grocery lists for
refrigerator)
The phone is used to help develop what to do in emergencies (911)
Increases language development and communication skills
Builds problem solving strategies Role-playing-"trying on life"
Painting
Creative expression
Builds reading comprehension when illustrating story parts
Gross motor development
Develops spatial abilities
Puzzles
Develops fine motor skills which helps children develop strength in fingers
for writing
Develops spatial sense
Increases the development of problem solving abilities
Increases concentration
Cooking
Understanding measurement
Understanding changes from solids to liquids
Develops literacy when trying to follow recipe directions
Develops weighing concepts
Math Manipulatives
Develops concepts of number
Develops concepts of classification
Concepts of geometry
Concepts of Measurement
Ability to create patterns