Article: Play is the Way to Learning
A message from Mary Stuart, manager, Toronto & District PCPC, Early Childhood Services

Forget the flash cards and the ABC homework sheets, if we want to see our children become competent, critical-thinking and harmonious human beings, we’ll get off the fast-food style of education and get back to the basics of learning for young children, which is simply play. Ask any leading expert – Dr. Lillian Katz, Dr. Spock, Penelope Leach, Dr. Stanley Greenspan, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, Dr. Fraser Mustard and any new upcoming researcher and they will all agree, prove and promote that play is the way to learning.

Real learning for children and adults is hands on. Regardless of claims by the media and companies selling expensive “learning” gadgets, you can’t hurry learning, you can’t create super children, you can’t give them an “edge” over others. But you can slow the learning process, produce anxious children and turn off children to learning by putting too much emphasis on rote learning. Child development is just that – development. Each and every child goes through stages of growth and they develop at their own pace.

So what are they doing? What are they learning?

Play develops curiosity and self determination. Through active exploration of materials attractively displayed, children have the opportunity to explore at their own pace, determining for themselves what materials can or cannot do. It is active and it is creative.

Play builds knowledge of ourselves and social relationships. Children in “mine/me” stages can move to the co-operative play stage by interacting with others in games, in manipulative areas, in negotiating for the red block or blue car, in being a leader/follower in an imaginary trip to the zoo. Just like all areas of development, social skills have to be taught, coached and practiced. Play is how children discover are acceptable negotiation techniques and which are not. Controlling the emotions of rejection, of misunderstanding, frustration and anger in a safe, comfortable way enhances children’s enjoyment with themselves and with others.

Play builds self-esteem, a sense of personal power and problem-solving skills. With hands-on, self-directed, satisfying materials, play teaches children to believe in their own inspirations; they can plan, make decisions, experience control and express ideas through their active, play-filled creativity. They encounter problems and learn how to solve them. How do I make the Lego tower bigger without it falling over? How do I make those sand castles? How do I get my red car back from Sam? Confronting problems in play helps children learn how to see options, try different solutions and make decisions.

Play builds language and communications skills. As children develop a greater understanding of objects, materials and relationships, they begin to master their meaning and vocabulary, and complex ideas begin to form. Communication comes while practicing conversation skills such as paying attention to someone who’s talking, listening carefully and then taking turns.

Play builds both large and small physical skills. Building balance, strength and co-ordination all comes from fun-filled, exhilarating opportunities to run, jump, skip and climb, openly and freely in a safe and happy, encouraging environment.

Little hands want to do but can’t until the right stage of development is acquired and that comes from manipulating materials like playdough and from experimenting with paint brushes, markers, crayons and chalk.

Play brings all learning together. It is multi-dimensional, multi-sensory, experimental, comfortable and natural. As much as we want to move away from it, we can’t: PLAY IS THE WAY TO LEARNING.

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