The benefits of play are great — research provides more and more evidence of the positive effects play has on child development.
Play promotes intellectual, physical, social, and emotional well-being (Christine Carter, 2011).
Unstructured play helps children learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, to regulate their emotions and behavior, and to speak-up for themselves as well as master early literacy concepts, self regulation and develop mathematical abilities.
It is essential in developing key cognitive functions such as working memory, self-regulation (e.g., being aware of and controlling her feelings and actions), internal language or “self-talk,” and the ability. (NAEYC, 2010)
“Kids who go to play-based preschools versus academic preschools, actually do much better academically down the line” Madeline Levine.
In today’s demanding life, families are changing free play time into structured and guided activities, and schools are giving less recess in order to have more academic time. We are giving less meaningful activities to our students and also promoting less opportunities to interact with their peers as well as organizing their own time to play with others and within the family.
Play should be preserved as a unique and non-negotiable time in schools and among families, considered as the most beneficial context for children’s healthy development.
We will share what research is telling us about the benefits of play; we encourage teachers and families to consider play time as learning opportunities for our kids!
