Play!

In August Mel and I were able to attend the Starting Strong Conference—all things early learning!  I attended several workshops about the importance of play for children.  So what is play and why is it so important?

Play is at the heart of learning and is different for each child.  Mr. Rogers said, “Play is really the work of childhood”.  Simply put, playing is how children learn.  In early childhood “if you’re not playing then you’re not learning.”

But play is not a free-for-all!  Children need play that is rule-governed, meaning there are limits to the materials, time, and space for play.  Play must be positive, voluntary, meaningful, symbolic, pleasurable, and episodic.

The best play is opened-ended to allow for discovery and divergent learning.  The brain likes novelty—meanings having supplies to use in creative ways.

I love our play and learn storytimes!  They were one of the things that attracted me to apply for this job.  Giving children time to explore, discover, experiment, and manipulate in a safe environment is vital in early learning.  Play solidifies our books and songs and encourages parents and caregivers to engage with their children.