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Understanding the Benefits of Play-Based Learning in Preschool Education
In the realm of early childhood development, young minds are naturally drawn to play as a primary method of exploration and understanding their surroundings. As they engage with the world through play, children acquire foundational skills across various domns essential for future learning and growth.
This is why many of the leading preschools in Singapore adopt an educational philosophy that emphasizes play-based learning – an approach med at ensuring meaningful experiences that are both enjoyable and rich with educational value. This model transforms each moment of playful engagement into a stepping stone on their path to brighter futures.
Let's explore how play can shape educational outcomes for young children:
At the heart of this educational philosophy is the concept of purposeful play, which seeks to balance enjoyment with learning objectives, providing a wide range of activities that cater to diverse developmental needs. This approach covers both spontaneous child-led play and more structured teacher-directed experiences.
Purposeful play can be categorized into two mn forms:
Child-Directed Play: Here, children are the initiators of play activities, with teachers acting as facilitators who guide their learning through questions, prompts, or extensions to the play experience.
Teacher-Directed Play: In this approach, such as at NTUC First Campus's preschools like My First Skool and Little Skool-House, teachers lead play-based learning sessions that enhance children’s understanding through hands-on games and activities.
Children don't just absorb information when they play; they actively participate, engaging their cognitive and physical abilities to solve problems, create stories, or build structures. This hands-on experience fosters creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and social interactions.
For example, when a teacher prompts a child to expln the design of a Lego tower, it turns into an opportunity for descriptive or show-and-tell sessions.
Purposeful play allows children to connect with concepts on a personal level, making learning more memorable and applicable in real-life situations. Contrary to traditional teaching methods that might lead to lower academic performance, play-based learning has been shown to enhance comprehension and retention.
At My First Skool, for instance, children engage in activities like puzzle-solving, building structures, or playing out scenarios that foster deeper understanding and application of knowledge across various domns.
Shared playtime at preschools provides opportunities for children to develop essential social skills including communication, cooperation, and teamwork. Negotiating roles during games enhances their ability to interact with peers constructively, laying a foundation for healthy relationships in the future.
Play-based learning environments encourage children to use their mother tongue languages naturally through interactive activities like storytelling, songs, or role-playing, supporting bilingual or multilingual development.
As play is recognized as a cornerstone of early childhood development, embracing play-based learning strategies in preschool education not only nurtures cognitive and social skills but also fosters a love for lifelong learning. By providing children with meaningful and enjoyable experiences through purposeful play, we can significantly impact their academic success and overall well-being.
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