Play is often seen as a fun activity for young children, but it is much more than just entertainment. For children under five, play is a critical pathway to learning and development. 

Play-based learning, which emphasises exploration, creativity, and child-directed activities, is essential for nurturing cognitive, emotional, and social growth. 

At Jenny’s Early Learning, we are guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), which highlights the significance of play-based learning in fostering a child’s curiosity, problem-solving skills, and ability to engage with others.

We’d love the play based learning to continue at home too! Aside from all the benefits play based learning has for children, it’s a great way for families to connect. 

 

What is Play-Based Learning?

Play-based learning is both enjoyable and educational. 

Unlike traditional “classroom learning,” play-based learning allows children to explore at their own pace, make choices, and follow their interests. This type of learning promotes active engagement, which supports cognitive and physical development, as well as the development of social and emotional skills.

The EYLF provides guidance on how learning should be approached for children aged birth to five, emphasising the importance of play as a vehicle for learning, guiding educators and parents to recognise the value of child-led exploration and discovery. 

According to the EYLF, learning should be holistic, with a strong focus on play-based experiences that foster a child’s ability to make meaning of the world around them.

The Benefits of Play-Based Learning

Cognitive Development

Play-based learning helps children develop essential cognitive skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making. When children engage in activities like building with blocks, sorting objects, or engaging in pretend play, they are exercising their brains. These activities encourage them to use their imagination, make connections, and experiment with ideas.

Example at Home: Encourage your child to build structures with different materials (blocks, cardboard boxes, or even kitchen utensils) and ask questions like, “What do you think will happen if we add another block?” This promotes both creative thinking and an understanding of cause and effect.

Language and Communication Skills

Through play, children have the opportunity to interact with peers and adults, which enhances their language and communication abilities. Whether it’s through role-playing, storytelling, or simply naming objects in their environment, children expand their vocabulary and practice social communication. Pretend play is particularly important for the development of language, as it allows children to experiment with words and phrases in a variety of contexts.

Example at Home: Set up a pretend shop with your child. Encourage them to play the roles of the shopper and cashier, practicing phrases like, “How much is this?” or “Can I buy some apples?” This not only builds language skills but also provides opportunities for practicing social norms.

Social and Emotional Skills

Children learn to navigate social relationships and manage emotions through play. In group settings, children practice skills like sharing, taking turns, and negotiating roles. As they encounter challenges or conflicts during play, they also learn problem-solving strategies and develop resilience.

Example at Home: When your child is playing with siblings or friends, guide them through conflict resolution. For instance, if two children are arguing over a toy, model calm communication and encourage them to express their feelings and find a solution together.

Physical Development

Play-based learning doesn’t only stimulate the brain but also encourages physical activity. From fine motor skills, such as gripping a crayon to draw, to gross motor skills, like running or jumping, play allows children to practice movements that develop their coordination and strength.

Example at Home: Set up an obstacle course in the living room or backyard, encouraging your child to crawl, jump, or balance. Activities like these help improve their physical coordination and muscle strength, while also encouraging problem-solving as they navigate the course.

Emotional Regulation

Through child-directed play, children can explore and process emotions in a safe and supportive environment. When they engage in role-playing or imaginative play, they can act out different scenarios and experiment with emotions in a controlled setting. This helps them understand and regulate their feelings, leading to greater emotional intelligence.

Example at Home: Use dolls, puppets, or stuffed animals to role-play scenarios. You could reenact situations like going to the doctor or starting school. This allows children to process their feelings about real-life experiences in a way that feels safe and empowering.

The Role of Child-Directed Play

Child-directed play, where the child takes the lead in determining what and how they play, is especially beneficial in early childhood. It gives children autonomy, fostering a sense of independence and confidence. It also allows them to follow their interests, which can lead to deeper engagement and learning.

When children are in control of their play, they are more likely to develop a strong sense of curiosity, and they become intrinsically motivated to explore and learn. Whether they choose to build a tower, pretend to cook, or play a game with friends, child-directed play encourages critical thinking and self-expression.

As a parent or caregiver, it’s important to support, rather than control, a child’s play. Instead of dictating how they should play, offer resources and encouragement, and allow them to take the lead. 

For example, if your child is playing with dolls, you could say, “How do you think the dolls feel today?” instead of telling them what to do with the dolls. This kind of interaction sparks creativity while allowing the child’s imagination to guide the play.

Supporting Play-Based Learning at Home

Parents can play a crucial role in supporting play-based learning at home by providing a rich environment filled with open-ended materials, allowing time for free play, and participating in play with their child in a way that supports their learning without taking over.

Create an Inviting Play Space: Offer a variety of open-ended materials such as building blocks, art supplies, books, or puzzles. These materials encourage creativity and imaginative play. Make sure the space is safe and welcoming, with enough room for exploration and movement.

Be Present, But Not Controlling: Take time to observe your child’s play. Join in when appropriate, but resist the urge to dictate what they should do. Instead, offer open-ended questions to spark their imagination and creativity, such as “What do you think will happen if we put this here?”

Encourage Exploration and Experimentation: Let your child try new things and make mistakes. Whether they are mixing colours, building towers, or pretending to cook, these experiences offer rich learning opportunities. Mistakes are not failures but chances to learn and grow.

Incorporate Play into Daily Routines: Everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, or grocery shopping can also be transformed into play-based learning experiences. For example, ask your child to help sort laundry by colours, practice counting fruits in the trolley, or follow a simple recipe together.

Play-based learning is a powerful tool for helping young children develop the skills they need to thrive in life. By supporting your child’s play you are fostering not only their cognitive, social, and emotional growth but also their love for learning. 

At Jenny’s ELC we love to play, and we love to support children’s learning too. If you’d like more support in creating a play based learning experience for your child, please speak to one of our friendly teams. 

To see play based learning in action, book a tour at your nearest Jenny’s ELC.