What is the benefit of a Play-Based Preschool?
As parents are considering enrolling their child into a preschool program, a very common question is: What will my child learn at Preschool if they are just playing all day?
Many parents are worried that their child may not be ready for kindergarten and want to make sure they know all their letters and colours, know how to read and write before entering Kindergarten. The truth is that is what the Kindergarten curriculum covers.
Children do NOT need to have these skills before entering school, but many parents want their children to have a head start and don’t believe that they will learn these skills without worksheets and directed activities. At 3 or 4 years old, children can begin to learn literacy and numeracy skills, however, the part of the brain required to read is not fully developed until closer to age 7.
In a play-based preschool, we offer opportunities to learn these skills in a fun and imaginative way as we know children learn best through their play.
To begin learning about letters, we may offer some small loose parts and some cards with letters and short words on them. Another fun option is a sand bin with a paint brush or even using their fingers to draw letters. Both allow children to learn about and begin to write letters in a way that is still play. This is the start of developing their learning-to-read skills.
Our focus in Preschool is learning about numbers, sorting, measurement, and patterns as well as shapes and comparing sizes. To do this, we set up invitations for play with loose materials, on the light table, in sensory bins, using natural materials as well as common toys. When children become curious about the materials, they explore and experiment with them. Independently learning these math concepts through their play.
What other skills are important for children to have before starting Kindergarten?
If you ask many Kindergarten teachers what skills they hope for their new students to already have a good grasp of, they will undoubtedly say, Social-Emotional Skills.
The ability to work with others, build relationships, share, and take turns. A beginning to understand their own emotions and to be able to share that with peers and adults as well as to feel empathy for others. Independent skills such as being able to put on their own jacket and shoes, use the washroom and wash their hands on their own.
Kindergarten teachers also hope for new students that have some understanding of how a classroom works. The ability to listen and be respectful to the Teacher and their peers.
Experience with transitions and daily routines of a classroom; being able to move from one activity to another.
As well as awareness of their own body and behaviour in the physical space and knowing what is acceptable.
Preschool creates daily opportunities for all these skills to be learned and a play-based Preschool does it while the children are still having fun.
There are no better experiences to practice making friends, sharing toys, and expressing emotions, like playing with your peers who have shared interests. Children may be playing in a toy kitchen, but there is a lot more going on underneath.
In imaginary play, the children will often assign specific roles to each other, which causes them to need to communicate, collaborate and likely also work on their decision-making skills. There will invariably be a child who disagrees which forces some expression of emotions and possibly leads to negotiation and maybe even conflict-resolution.
In the play kitchen, there is no shortage of materials, but we all know some are more coveted than others, and these will eventually be the items to share or take turns with. Again, requiring communication, empathy, understanding, and good friendship building skills.
Throughout the day in a play-based preschool, there are many routines and transitions for the children to practice using their skills. First, there are routines such as what to do first when you come into the preschool, (take off coat, hang up bag, wash your hands etc) There will be a daily routine of when snack or lunch is as well as group or outside play time.
All these parts of the routine are also transitional times when children learn how to stop one activity to move on to the next. How to wait for their turn to wash their hands or go outside. In keeping in line with the play-based approach, songs, games, and activities are included to keep these transitions fun.
Play is a crucial part of a child’s growth as it builds independence, confidence, and self-awareness. Through play, children practice the social-emotional skills that are so important to their development. They learn about working with others, respecting boundaries, and following rules. The play-based approach allows children to learn and develop all the necessary skills they need for a successful transition into kindergarten through their natural curiosity.
Find out more or sign up today at www.ttk.org/maple-lane-preschool