I would be in a wooded area with many materials. I would have a shovel (toy one, of course!) a pail, my companion baby doll, toy camera, and any other type of toy that would allow me to explore my world. My adult would be my Aunt, but her role would only be to ensure I was safe. I would spend my time exploring every part of the woods, from small crevices to open land areas. I would take pictures with my camera so I could show my parents about my journey when I arrived home! I would take my friend, who is a boy with me. We could learn how to explore together and solve many problems with one another! What fun we would have!!
“Play is the beginning of knowledge.” ~ Anonymous
What a true statement! A child begins learning through play, thus making it the beginings of knowledge! Watching a child solve a problem during play is such a remarkable experience! Watching their faces after they discovered something new is even more remarkable! Children need to learn to solve problems on their own, with adults as watchers, and not answer givers, so to speak! Through play, a child learns how to problem solve; social and emotional skills, as well as the ability to control their impulses.
“Almost all creativity involves purposeful play.” ~ Abraham Maslow
“Play is the highest form of research.” ~ Albert Einstein
I could not agree more! Maslow is absolutely correct! When we take play from our children, their creativity and imagination all but disappears! When a child is allowed to play, they can use whatever they want and take off with it. I have overhead many of my students using such wonderful, vivid imaginary creatures and imaginary aliens, etc. I refuse to take away that creativity! And, as Einstein stated, play is the highest form of research! Children learn everything they need through play!
I believe blocks are essential for children; they learn to use hand/eye coordination as well as their imagination. Many days, in the block center, my students will make letters we have learned out of the blocks. They are connecting that learning with their ability to use a concrete object.
The dramatic play center is a must in my classroom. Children can use their imagination and be whatever they want and do whatever they want! This is essential for creativity! As Einstein stated, play is the highest form of research; this center allows students to explore! They learn to control their impulses and use their social/emotional skills!
The math center is a MUST! Children can play and not realize just how much they are learning! Having the math center allows children to problem solve with concrete objects! It is amazing watching students see their own success when they solve a problem!
Play is such an essential for children. It allows them to use their creativity; allows them to be what they want to be and do what they want to do; it teaches the concept of problem solving as well as social/emotional skills. As an educator, I refuse to take that away from my students. I have seen the benefits of having play in my classroom and how wonderful it is! A child needs every opportunity available to increase their knowledge. I believe that knowledge is best attainable through play!
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you keep play as a part of your classroom. I can remember in preschool, we had a block center, an art center and a "making home" center, as they called it then. I loved being able to act out roles and use my imagination. It obviously made an impact on me or I wouldn't remember it fondly this many years later. I see so many benefits to a building block center for problem solving and so many social skills that can be learned from dramatic play. Good for you for incorporating it into your classroom!
Loved your post Susan! Thanks for sharing the quotes. Albert Einstein's quote helps us to view play through a magnifying lens. What a great way to think about play, research to life!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteLoved your post. The pictures and explanations regarding such important aspects of play were great. Thank you for sharing your childhood memory of creative play in the woods. I think that the most important kind of play children can experience happens outdoors. Thinking about playing outside brings back so many wonderful images and feelings for me.
Thanks for the memories,
Sally
Susan, thank you for sticking to your guns and keeping play in your classroom. Our children need outlets to play and decipher the concepts they learn. I could count by 2s, 5s and to 100 when I entered school. Play is the reason for that. Older children used those numbers when they were “it” in the game of Hide and Go Seek as we called it .The rule was to count to 10, 50, or 100 while the others hid. We were allowed to count to as high as we could. One hundred was the status symbol. The repetition caused us younger kids to learn the numbers, though we did not understand yet what they meant. To us, that was just how the game was played.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteI just loved your post. I think that it is so great that you have been able to continue to include the valuable and necessary part of a child's development. Thanks,for being an inspiration for the rest of us.
Sara
Hi Susan, I like the photos you have chosen. They are indeed what I see in child development centers. Children need to understand how important play is for them.
ReplyDelete