If your child is 5 or under, then there is a high chance that they spend the majority of their time learning through play.
What is Play-Based learning?
A play-based approach provides children with long blocks of uninterrupted time to explore their learning environment and outdoor space, making choices whilst being supported by practitioners who encourage and scaffold learning.
What are the benefits?
For learning to take place, a child needs to be engaged. A child in the early years is much more likely to be engaged if they are making choices about their learning. A play-based approach appeals to a child’s natural curiosity and desire to engage in experiences based on their interests and strengths.
The setup of the learning environment
The resources on offer will be carefully considered to best meet the needs of the children in the group. Some tables will be set up each morning in different areas of the room, whereas others may be organised with resources so that children can choose what they are getting out. The adults in the setting will constantly assess the quality of the materials and the engagement levels of the children, making changes accordingly.
The role of the adults
The adults in the setting have a very important role. They aim to know all about the children they work with and what interests and excites them. This, in addition to their knowledge of child development, helps them to enhance a child’s learning by modelling, commenting and questioning whilst interacting with the children. During a play interaction, our practitioners will be considering how they can further communication skills, maths skills, social skills, physical skills, creative skills and much more
What are observations?
Observing how a child plays is a key part of a play-based approach. The adults in the setting will gauge when to observe and when to skilfully interject. They will only interrupt a child’s play if it will add value to the child’s learning.
A play-based approach provides children with long blocks of uninterrupted time to explore their learning environment and outdoor space, making choices whilst being supported by practitioners who encourage and scaffold learning.
What are the benefits?
For learning to take place, a child needs to be engaged. A child in the early years is much more likely to be engaged if they are making choices about their learning. A play-based approach appeals to a child’s natural curiosity and desire to engage in experiences based on their interests and strengths.
The setup of the learning environment
The resources on offer will be carefully considered to best meet the needs of the children in the group. Some tables will be set up each morning in different areas of the room, whereas others may be organised with resources so that children can choose what they are getting out. The adults in the setting will constantly assess the quality of the materials and the engagement levels of the children, making changes accordingly.
The role of the adults
The adults in the setting have a very important role. They aim to know all about the children they work with and what interests and excites them. This, in addition to their knowledge of child development, helps them to enhance a child’s learning by modelling, commenting and questioning whilst interacting with the children. During a play interaction, our practitioners will be considering how they can further communication skills, maths skills, social skills, physical skills, creative skills and much more
What are observations?
Observing how a child plays is a key part of a play-based approach. The adults in the setting will gauge when to observe and when to skilfully interject. They will only interrupt a child’s play if it will add value to the child’s learning.