Learning through Play
When you see a child building a tower of blocks, chasing a friend around the yard, or two little girls playing “teacher” what comes to your mind? Is it that they are learning lifelong skills that will help them form into productive adults? Of course not, but that is what is happening. Through each adventure in play children are discovering new ideas and concepts. They are learning to listen to their friends and to compromise on activities. They are learning to exercise authority while learning at the same time what behaviors will not go over well.
Every single thing a child does teaches them a little something about the world around them. As an educator my goal is to constantly get children to ask questions and then offer them to tools (not the answers) to find the answer. How do I do this? Through play. My favorite quote is “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand”.
I often challenge parents of the children in my care to set aside some time once a week to just play. Allow the mess, don’t run to clean up the spill, and allow the art to happen outside. Follow your child’s lead, and guide their play with thought provoking questions. Who knows, your child may not be the only one who learns something.
Lyndsay McGreevy serves as the Director of Early Childhood Programs for both locations of the Children's Museum of Richmond
Check out the links below for more information on the role of Play in your child's development!
The Importance of Dramatic Play
Blog Archive
