Importance of Your Preschool Providing Play in Class
For many parents, it is difficult to know what is important to your child’s development when looking for a good preschool. One often-overlooked aspect is that of play – it is often thought of simply as a social phase of childhood. As adults we would go out for a meal together, whereas kids might play with one another. However, play is much more important and beneficial than just socializing for children. Play is a central vehicle for development. From a very young age, children play first by themselves, exploring the world around them, and then as they get a little older they play with other children, developing and enhancing important social skills.
There are various areas of development which are enhanced through play:
Physical:
Play enhances a child’s gross and fine motor development, depending on the type of play they are engaging in. Gross development refers to larger movements made with the muscles and is important for building physical strength and co-ordination. Fine motor development refers to movements made with the hands, like handling small objects, and is important for developing handwriting and working with your hands. Engaging in physical play like sports, group play, board games, or building games (e.g., Lego blocks) are good for physical development.
Language and learning skills:
Co-operative and group play enhances language and learning skills greatly. While children are growing and learning language, it is important for them to have opportunities to practice what they are learning. This is best done through trial-and-error and re-enforcement, which both occur through play. During group or one-on-one playtime, children repeat what they have learnt, like new words, and learn to understand meaning by using these words in their particular situation. The same occurs with skills related to mathematics, information processing etc.
Self-concept, self-confidence, and understanding:
Play in which a child is successful will greatly increase their self-confidence and enhance other abilities. Good teachers monitor a child’s strengths in different forms of play and manipulate schedules to reinforce their strong points and work on their weaker points. Play also enhances knowledge and understanding – children will apply concepts learnt in play to the real world. Lastly, children also subtly pick up on their own strengths and weaknesses, and likes and dislikes. For example, a child will discover through choice of play (such as building blocks or playing soccer outside) whether they are introverted or extroverted and will naturally gravitate towards types of play that bring out their strengths.
Social development
Lastly, social development is honed through play. Listening, negotiating, and compromising are pivotal skills of social learning. Young children are generally egocentric and play teaches them to think of others and move away from thinking of only the self. Dominating and directive children learn control, and introverted children may be given opportunities to “come out of their shell” through play. It is the basis of learning how to deal with different types of personalities.
Research shows that kids at pre-schools who get extra play time generally fare better in aspects of social skills, language skills, physical development, and it has positive effects on children with ADHD symptoms, and more. This is why it is important, when looking at pre-schools that you make sure that the pre-school has a good focus and inclusion of play, for the best development of your child.