Research

Research Article 3: How to use play for learning -Edutopia Play-based learning helps engage elementary students in their education and has cognitive, physical, social and emotional benefits. Summary of reading: Shifted to a play-based approach in kindergarten -Kindergarten: play and learning go hand in hand - Friedrich Froebel’s vision -Play is a primary and integral mode through which children make sense of the world, essential to their development and well-being. -Supports skills like collaboration, communication, creativity -Effective practice for deepening understanding/engaging children -Finding a balance between academic expectations and developmental needs of young students -Most engaged/focused when offered time, space, meaningful materials to make sense of what they were learning -Teacher directed activities/transitions no substitutes for exploration, creativity, socialization -Choice time structure affords children opportunities to learn playfully -Making time for play early in day optimizes learning/helps to balance a classroom schedule -Classroom environment designed to engage minds, meet their sensory needs, offer practice with academic content -Our classroom has: block centre, maths centre, science centre, book nook, dramatic play corner, sensory table, felt-board and art centre. -Thoughtfully designed centres, children flow from one activity to another with a sense of purpose -Science centre has: pine cones, tree bark, natural resources, old overhead projector for light study. -Maths centre has: cuisenaire rods, pattern blocks, counting grids to encourage geometric design -Block centre: children’s imaginative worlds come to life -Other materials introduced to expand thinking on a topic -Creativity/invention stem from the simplest materials, having access to these materials can make the difference in a child’s ability to learn -Observing play gave insight to ways children think/learn. Use this knowledge to address individual needs effectively -Children more motivated to explore academic standards within their play because it was meaningful to them -Learning most effective/enjoyable: zone of proximal development -Understanding how play supports learning means understanding how children learn -Our teaching must have roots in child development in order for children to thrive -Once children had experienced play-based learning they were: more focused, motivated, purposeful, happier -Play-based learning in my classroom created: balance, deepened our learning, defined classroom community as a place where we could learn and grow together My Thoughts: This reading reaffirmed how important play is in the classroom to me. I agree with finding a balance between academic expectations and developmental needs of the children. Time, space and meaningful materials gave me things to think about that we need to always provide as teachers. I think we are very lucky with the space we have for Learning Through Play, it works well down the end of our hub. I think with our new planning sheets underway we are more conscious of providing the right materials to enhance the children’s learning. I think the N.E class have enough time in Learning Through Play as they go back to it when they are not in instructional groups in the mornings. The older students often want to go back to Learning Through Play throughout the day. Can we incorporate our P.B.L/R:E afternoon subjects more into Learning Through Play/Challenge room focused activities? Can these run throughout the whole day? teacher instructional groups for these subjects? A sensory table and more natural resources are good ideas for different materials I will try. I have found it very interesting observing the children and learning about their urges in our hub. I have also learnt about myself and other people’s urges and gained an insight into why we do the things we do. Now we are at the stage to think about how we can nurture these urges and plan for them. Our children love the Learning Through Play area, they are excited to get to school and play with their friends each day. It is now a smooth transition from kindergarten to primary school with our Learning Through Play. It is a great way to start the day and meet/greet the parents. I love the class culture of learning and growing together!