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How Teachers can defend their inclusion of Play and

Learning Centers in an Early Childhood Classroom:


Children Learn Through Play Everyday

Norma J. Rollins
Child development 149
May 7, 2014

Growing up as a twin in a large family of 22, all I can remember is happy fun filled
times. Although there was many of us my mother made sure first that we were well cared and
provided for and that we had fun. As kids as long as we were playing and having fun it didnt
matter if it was educational or not. What we werent aware of was that majority of everything my
mother brought us or allowed us to play with; there was a lesson to be learned from it. Building
blocks, dolls, kitchen set, books, crayons, paper and so much more was all preparing us for the
world.
Transformation of Thought
Theories about play can give you insight into childrens play. Jean Piaget, for example,
wrote extensively about, and spent much of his professional life observing, young children at
play. He believed the appearance of symbolic play in young children signified the transition
from representation in action to internal representation or thought (Piaget and Inhelder 1972,
57). Referring to play as the language of childhood, Piaget argued that in order to think
things through, children needed to play things through, just as an adult might talk something
through in order to sort it out. In this way, play both facilitates and transforms the young childs
thought processes.

THE INTEGRATIVE ROLE OF PLAY


How does play enable children to make sense of their experiences?
To a casual observer, there may be nothing remarkable about two children just
playing. But to an early childhood professional, the children are using play to make sense of

their world. Open-ended, imaginative play, allows children to meaningfully integrate or bring
together and master their experiences. They use their imaginations, communicate meaning to
themselves and others, actually transform their thinking, and solve problems. When children use
their imagination during group play it allows them to have common ground. Each childs
developmental issues and life-experience, determines and motivates his or her play. When
children use their imaginations, communicate meaning to themselves and others, they are
transforming their thinking, and solving problems. During observation in the daycare center,
observing kids in the housekeeping area the girls was acting out what was seen in the home. One
girl was cooking, another girl was trying to quiet a crying baby while another wash dishes. In
the block area a little boy was building a tall house, while another one worked on a truck. In the
quit area two kids did projects on the computer and in the art area one girl sat alone drawing
her mom, flowers and chocolate. These are all good example of children learning through play.

The game twister is a good example of learning through play. Teaching the children several
valuable lessons all while playing. Language, communication, problem solving, eye hand
coordination, Colors, knowing the difference between body parts as well as getting alone with
others.

Play is ultimately about learning.

All Play Means Something, thats why kids do it, they can sit for hours with toys or just
using objects and their imagination. Kids can find anything to play with it doesnt matter if its
found in the yard, kitchen, tub or car; rather its good or bad play; theres always a lesson to be
learn. Play is very naturally to a child; it starts from the beginning months of their life. Moving
is a big part of play, many people view play as children running, climbing, jumping, and moving,
simple physical activities. Children using their large muscles in these activities are strengthening

their gross motor development as well as small. Physical movement is a young childs first
means of non-verbal communication, children learn by doing they are very active and energetic.
A childs physical and motor development influences, is influenced by all other aspects of
development: cognitive, language, social, and emotional development of children. Other things
children learn through play is: what is cold, hot, soft, hard, heavy, light, quiet, loud, what fits
and what doesnt and many other things. One of the most important things young children learn
through all this tireless trial and error is how to connect events, feelings, memories, thoughts,
and learning together into experience and to file it away in their brains under certain symbols.
Miraculously, this all starts to happen well before they have command of spoken language.
Simply stated, through play, they learn to symbolize their experience. When children have the
ability to manipulate and change pass experiences and substitute one object for another, they
have learned the understanding of imagination. We as teachers can make the world of play
easier for our children by making sure our classroom are equipped with enough of space, time
and materials for the amount of children were teaching.

http:
//families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/child-development/10-things-every-parentshould-know-about-play

Me as a Childcare provider, first starting out in a daycare center then opening up my on


home daycare, I have herd so many parents say during an interview Im looking for a good
center were my child can learn. A lot of parents felt that letting a child play all the time he/she
wouldnt be learning anything. Learning from my past experiences working in the daycare
centers, there is negative and positive teaching. I was able to take the positive and incorporated
into my home daycare program; as well as learning what to do and what not to do. From the
very beginning of me working with children I was and still is, a firm believer that kids learn
through play and Ive always stressed that to my parents. Making sure to share with them my
daily curriculum and ensure them that every song and activity had a lesson to be learned. There
was supervised and time television, it never was a babysitter for my children. So many of my
former parents has called me back and inform that their child was ahead of all the students in
class and/or honor roll students. It gives me such Joy to be working with kids and the most
importantly allowing them to be kids (playing) while learning. I learn so much from my studies
in my current child development classes and has made me proud of my past teaching

experiences. It has just confirm that my method or form of teaching works and actually in the
text book. Teaching children is my passion and will continue to stress the importance of play is a
childs context for learning. As parents, you are the biggest supporters of your childrens
learning. You can make sure they have as much time to play as possible during the day to
promote cognitive, language, physical, social, and emotional development.
http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/child-development/10-things-everyparent-should-know-about-play

Make believe play: When children act out what is seen in their everyday life; home, school,
friends and family house. Manipulative: working on table toys, puzzles, stackable Creativity:
dress up play, arts and crafts. Learning: books and writing. Physical: outdoor play.

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