“Just Playing” and Academics

 Play is child’s work; it is a foundation for learning. It is important to realize that “just playing” is a very effective way for young children to learn. Kindergarten is so demanding and requires a good foundation of academic skills. How do young children get the academic knowledge while playing?
For a child to understand the world at their own level, they re-enact what happens in real life, as it has been “modeled” for them by the people they are surrounded by on a daily basis. For example, a child playing with tools or dolls will be using the language he/she has heard, vocabulary and language skills develop and creative imagination takes place along with problem solving while “just playing”. This type of setting gives children the freedom to express themselves and learn to communicate with peers, show emotions and work on spontaneous responses and self-control.
Technology is wonderful, but is not necessarily needed in early childhood centers.  When children are not given creative opportunities to express themselves through open-ended play, they may have a difficult time with storytelling, creative writing and using their imagination in Kindergarten. Preschool programs that foster creativity during library time, dramatic play, art, music, math, outside play and snack time will give children opportunities to explore the world on their own.
What about the academics?  When “just playing” how will my child ever learn to count and know their letters, so they are ready for Kindergarten? You would be surprised to know that even though it seems like play, it is actually the most effective way of learning academics without sitting the children in front of workbooks. Picture your child making a puzzle, at the same time he/she is learning about the colors, size and shape of the pieces and manipulating them to fit into right places, it’s learning through play and it’s math! The same type of scenario can happen even at snack time. The teacher asks how many students are in the class; children count; the teacher then asks how many crackers do we need if everyone gets 1, how about 2? You get the idea. There are many ways to do the same thing while learning letters, phonics and other academic skills.  Using a “hands on” approach is a very effective way for children to learn.
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