Playing is another word for learning.
Play is a way to explore and learn about the world around us. Learning through play means allowing our curiosity to drive our learning. When we play, we try different things; we understand how things work through trial and error.
Often when people talk about learning through play, they refer to a child's early years. And it is now broadly acknowledged that play is an integral and essential part of a child’s life. So much so that the United Nations listed play as one of the fundamental rights of every child. But what is less acknowledged is that play plays a huge part in learning in children of all ages. (and adults too)
Play allows us to take risks, fail and try again in a safe environment. It develops imagination and creative thinking. Play helps children develop their thinking skills. It enables cognitive growth as play strengthens and increases neural connections in the brain.
Play also helps children learn how to solve problems.
The benefits of play don’t stop there, though. Play is also known to reduce anxiety and stress and increase well-being.
Through play, children learn how to share, work together, negotiate, and solve conflicts.
Learning through play also provides children with voice and agency over their learning. In the world of play, they can set the rules and be the ones with the power.
Play is an activity where children show their remarkable ability for exploration, imagination and decision making.
Children naturally want to play. So introducing play as a way of learning means your students will be engaged and have fun while learning.
With so many benefits of using play to learn, it is a no-brainer that we should incorporate it into our way of teaching.
In episode 17 of The Thinking Effect podcast, we share a few easy ways to incorporate play in your classroom to provide your students with a stimulating, fun, engaging learning environment.
Tune in now to learn how to leverage play for learning.
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thethinkingeffectpodcast@gmail.com