“When children are playing, children are learning”
-Councils of Ministers of Education Canada
-Councils of Ministers of Education Canada
PLAY BASED LEARNING
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The province of Ontario has recently implemented a revised Kindergarten curriculum which incorporates a “Play Based Learning” approach for children ages 3-6. For those of you who are unaware or concerned with what “play based learning” entails, you can learn about it here!
Play based learning is a fundamental aspect to early child
development because it is a child’s first introduction to the world of learning and it marks the beginning of their developmental process. It is an excellent program which enhances a child’s social, intellectual, physical and motor skills as they begin to explore and understand how to play effectively. Children learn to gain trust and build relationships with peers through the process of play. It develops a child’s self-regulation which includes their behaviour, various emotions and their attention spans. Play assists in the development of children’s own personal identities, their health, language and thinking skills and it begins to enhance their literacy and numeracy abilities.
Kindergarten is a place where students develop their natural curiosity which I believe is sparked by effective play. Students
use play to make sense of the world around them. They are able to explore, invent, pretend and interact with peers which are all necessary for high-quality play. Several experts such as Psychologist David Elkind would suggest that high-quality play is equivalent to academic work as it involves creating, discovering, improvising and doing which enhances a child’s knowledge. The participation in high-quality play also improves a child’s planning, decision making and communication skills. It is important that educators and parents have a clear understanding of the purpose of play based learning and how it essentially maximizes a child’s learning. As a beginning teacher, I plan to fully incorporate the new Kindergarten program and create educational play centers like math, science, reading, play dough, etc to help with the progression of the child’s learning. These play centers will be both challenging and dynamic to benefit all my students.
For more information, on Play Based Learning this is the link to the Ontario Ministry of Education website http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/kindergarten/whatwillmychildlearnanddo.html
Examples of Learning Centers in Kindergarten Classrooms
Play based learning is a fundamental aspect to early child
development because it is a child’s first introduction to the world of learning and it marks the beginning of their developmental process. It is an excellent program which enhances a child’s social, intellectual, physical and motor skills as they begin to explore and understand how to play effectively. Children learn to gain trust and build relationships with peers through the process of play. It develops a child’s self-regulation which includes their behaviour, various emotions and their attention spans. Play assists in the development of children’s own personal identities, their health, language and thinking skills and it begins to enhance their literacy and numeracy abilities.
Kindergarten is a place where students develop their natural curiosity which I believe is sparked by effective play. Students
use play to make sense of the world around them. They are able to explore, invent, pretend and interact with peers which are all necessary for high-quality play. Several experts such as Psychologist David Elkind would suggest that high-quality play is equivalent to academic work as it involves creating, discovering, improvising and doing which enhances a child’s knowledge. The participation in high-quality play also improves a child’s planning, decision making and communication skills. It is important that educators and parents have a clear understanding of the purpose of play based learning and how it essentially maximizes a child’s learning. As a beginning teacher, I plan to fully incorporate the new Kindergarten program and create educational play centers like math, science, reading, play dough, etc to help with the progression of the child’s learning. These play centers will be both challenging and dynamic to benefit all my students.
For more information, on Play Based Learning this is the link to the Ontario Ministry of Education website http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/kindergarten/whatwillmychildlearnanddo.html
Examples of Learning Centers in Kindergarten Classrooms
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Dramatic Center
Kindergarten teachers often include a dramatic play center as it is fun and beneficial for students because they are able to expand on knowledge they have already acquired. Students take on a particular role and further develop that role through play with their peers. An example of a specific dramatic center I would incorporate in a kindergarten class is a grocery store where students can play a cashier, manager or customers. Other dramatic centers could be could be kitchen (house), Mcdonalds, Tim Hortons, etc.
Kindergarten teachers often include a dramatic play center as it is fun and beneficial for students because they are able to expand on knowledge they have already acquired. Students take on a particular role and further develop that role through play with their peers. An example of a specific dramatic center I would incorporate in a kindergarten class is a grocery store where students can play a cashier, manager or customers. Other dramatic centers could be could be kitchen (house), Mcdonalds, Tim Hortons, etc.
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Literacy Center
Most Kindergarten classrooms include some form of a literacy center. Literacy centers can include the use of magnetic letters to create words or for letter sound recognition. A great idea for literacy center would be to establish a letter of the week and have students write on a chart paper as many words they find in the children's dictionary that begin with that letter. Teachers would implement this center as it enhances students writing abilities and letter recognition. A literacy center could also include mini white boards where students are able to doodle and write different words they see around the room.
Most Kindergarten classrooms include some form of a literacy center. Literacy centers can include the use of magnetic letters to create words or for letter sound recognition. A great idea for literacy center would be to establish a letter of the week and have students write on a chart paper as many words they find in the children's dictionary that begin with that letter. Teachers would implement this center as it enhances students writing abilities and letter recognition. A literacy center could also include mini white boards where students are able to doodle and write different words they see around the room.
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Math Center
Kindergarten teachers will always include a math activity center as students are able to play with various mathetical manipulatives that are fun and engaging. Teachers can make the center focus on the particular math unit of that week. For example, when Kindergartens are learning patterning, one of the centers can include a patterning board with manipulatives that students can use to make patterns.
Kindergarten teachers will always include a math activity center as students are able to play with various mathetical manipulatives that are fun and engaging. Teachers can make the center focus on the particular math unit of that week. For example, when Kindergartens are learning patterning, one of the centers can include a patterning board with manipulatives that students can use to make patterns.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/5/5/23555366/1383847804.jpg)
Read the Room
Your child may enjoy reading. If so, this play center would appeal to them. Kindergarten teachers would include a "read the room" center so students can go around the room with a pointer and read different words on charts, poems, word wall, etc., to develop their reading skills. Teachers may alter this center to reading a quiet book from the bookshelf to get their students to read. The books that the teacher may place on the bookshelf for students can be based on real life occasions such as halloween, new years, thanksgiving, etc., which often interests the students to read.
Your child may enjoy reading. If so, this play center would appeal to them. Kindergarten teachers would include a "read the room" center so students can go around the room with a pointer and read different words on charts, poems, word wall, etc., to develop their reading skills. Teachers may alter this center to reading a quiet book from the bookshelf to get their students to read. The books that the teacher may place on the bookshelf for students can be based on real life occasions such as halloween, new years, thanksgiving, etc., which often interests the students to read.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/5/5/23555366/902309.jpg?1383847781)
Sensory Table
Teachers often include a sensory table for those kinesthetic learners (see Multiple Intelligences page). Some sensory tables can include a sand box, rice box, pouring and mixing objects and liquids. The purpose is to stimulate childrens senses through this type of play. It is often connected to science as it allows students to develop their scientific knowledge, discovery, and problem solving skills. This helps students develop cognitively, socially and physically.
Teachers often include a sensory table for those kinesthetic learners (see Multiple Intelligences page). Some sensory tables can include a sand box, rice box, pouring and mixing objects and liquids. The purpose is to stimulate childrens senses through this type of play. It is often connected to science as it allows students to develop their scientific knowledge, discovery, and problem solving skills. This helps students develop cognitively, socially and physically.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/5/5/23555366/7614641.jpg?1383847793)
Building Blocks
Teachers often include building blocks as a play center as it encourages students to play with others and problem solve through tasks. It helps strengthens a childs hands, fingers and eye coordination in order to build varous structures. This also could help develop your childs motor skills and spatial skills. Children can build various things based on previous knowledge they already acquire. Building blocks spark childrens creativity and group work. It is a gender neutral activity that can intrigue both girls and boys to build.
Teachers often include building blocks as a play center as it encourages students to play with others and problem solve through tasks. It helps strengthens a childs hands, fingers and eye coordination in order to build varous structures. This also could help develop your childs motor skills and spatial skills. Children can build various things based on previous knowledge they already acquire. Building blocks spark childrens creativity and group work. It is a gender neutral activity that can intrigue both girls and boys to build.
Check out the video below! This video is excellent in displaying and explaining the purpose and importance of Play Based Learning and how it is an effective program now implemented in Kindergarten classrooms!
References
Misschip. (Producer). (2013, March 19). The Important of Play- Based Learning. YouTube. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ9fzJttMPY
Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services. (2007). Early learning for every child today: a framework for Ontario early childhood settings, 1- 182. Ontario: Canada.
The Council of Ministers of Education. (2012). CMEC Statement on Play- Based Learning. CMEC. Canada.
Main Page Image: UWMower. (2013). Success By 6. United Way of Mower Country. [Image]. Retrieved from : http://uwmower.org/success-by-6/
Figure 1: 1310News. (N/A). 1310News. [Image]. Retrieved from www.1310news.com
Figure 2-6: Pre-k pages. (2013). Centers. Pre-k Pages. [Image].Retrieved from http://www.pre-kpages.com/centers/
Figure 7: 123RF. (2013). Stock Photography Categories. 123RF. [Image]. Retrieved from www.123rf.com