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September 2023
January 2024
HOW PLAY IS GETTING YOUR PRESCHOOLER READY FOR KINDERGARTEN
This year our preschool programs throughout the district are utilizing the High Scope curriculum, which is a play based approach to learning. Your child likely comes home every day, and instead of telling you what they "learned," they tell you what or who they played with. This has led to a frequently asked question, “How will they be ready for Kindergarten if all they do is play?”
There is a misunderstanding that play based classrooms are a free-for-all environment where students hop from this activity to that, doing as they please, while the teacher sits back and watches. In reality, high-quality play based classrooms are intentional and well-designed learning environments where the teachers and the students co-construct purposeful and dynamic play experiences that lead to deep learning. In fact, "literature addressing play and learning suggests children entering kindergarten following play-based early childhood education should excel in three
key areas of school readiness. First, they should be excellent thinkers and learners who are curious about the world around them, capable of driving their learning and exploring their interests. Second, they should be fluent in emotional intelligence and adept at modifying their actions in accordance with group norms and social feedback. Finally, they should be confident in relationship building, readily forging connections with peers and adults and executing social reciprocity with ease."
Here is a little bit of food for thought. When your child was an infant, their play was looking around, kicking their legs, grabbing onto things, rolling over and cooing in response to the adults in their lives. We didn’t stop this type of play to give them lessons in walking so they would be ready to walk someday. No, we let them kick their legs in an effort to get them ready to walk. We trusted their body and that it would develop naturally. And guess what, most children walk by the time they are 18 months old! We trusted body development to aid us with this!
The same is true for the brain. Just like all children learn to walk at different times, different skills and parts of the brain are developed at different times! Some children may be able to write their name at 3 years old and some may not develop fine motor skills and hand-eye-coordination (as well as literacy skills) until they are 4. A play-centered approach helps us meet the needs of each individual child on their own individual timeline!
In the realm of language development, play takes center stage. Through imaginative scenarios like playing house, restaurant, or doctor, children naturally engage in conversations, construct narratives, and absorb a diverse vocabulary, setting a strong foundation for effective communication. Written words and pictures are prevalent throughout the setting to further engage and enrich language development.
Social skills are another significant aspect of kindergarten readiness, and our dramatic play area becomes a hub for their cultivation. As children take on various roles, they navigate social dynamics, negotiate with peers, and learn the art of cooperation, essential skills for thriving in a kindergarten setting.
Mathematics seamlessly integrates into play-based activities. Whether it's counting blocks, sorting objects, or creating patterns, children explore mathematical concepts in a hands-on and enjoyable manner, laying the groundwork for more formalized learning in the future.
Additionally, play serves as a holistic workout for both fine and gross motor skills. Activities like threading beads, manipulating playdough, or engaging in outdoor play contribute to the development of coordination and motor skills necessary for various tasks, including those they'll encounter in kindergarten.
Our preference for a play-centered approach stems from its flexibility and recognition of individual learning styles. Play allows for exploration, experimentation, and the natural joy of discovery, fostering a positive attitude towards learning that extends far beyond the preschool years.
As we navigate this journey towards kindergarten together, rest assured that the play-based experiences in our classrooms are intentionally designed to address not only academic readiness but also the social, emotional, and physical aspects crucial for a successful and enjoyable transition.
Thank you for your partnership in your child's educational adventure.
References:
Mraz, Kristine, Alison Porcelli, and Cheryl Tyler. Purposeful Play: A Teacher's Guide to Igniting Deep and Joyful Learning Across the Day Heinemann, 2016.
Fyffe, L., Sample, P.L., Lewis, A., Rattenborg, K., & Bundy, A. (2022). Entering Kindergarten After Years of Play: A Cross-Case Analysis of School Readiness Following Play-Based Education. Early Childhood Education Journal.
Taylor, M. E., & Boyer, W. (2019). Play-based learning: Evidence based research to improve children’s learning experiences in the kindergarten classroom. Early Childhood Education Journal, 48(2).
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