Play: Tool for Teaching and Learning

By: Rachael McGrawHum 220 in1

What makes play valuable?

Play is a tool that has the potential to help children learn skills in various fields of study.

Through play children develop skills including but not limited to communication, problem solving, mathematics, language development and socialization.

Not only does play help children learn, it also helps teachers teach and evaluate the progress of their students.

The benefits of play are enormous.

How can play help children learn?

By using play as a tool, teachers can help their students learn as well as they themselves learn.

Children learn better when they engage and are actively participating.

By aiming activities toward playing, children are more likely to participate and furthermore reap the benefits of play as an educational experience.

Through play children create there sense of self.

Perceptions of Play

Opinions and perceptions of play differ among cultures in eastern countries and western countries. Many factors are taken into consideration when examining the perceptions of the parents on the concept of play. These factors include, but are not limited to: socio-economic status, education levels, rural residency versus urban residency, and the size of the family (Yawkey).

Play Environments contribute to the quality of play you are promoting.

Observations and insights gathered through play can help plan for the

individual child.

The insights gathered from observing children or a child playing will allow teachers and parents to understand personal needs of children socially and mentally that will help them create a personalized plan for education that will benefit the children as a whole or the individual child in a substantial way.

Personalized education for children that defines and identifies the weaknesses of the child while harnessing the strengths will always provide for an efficient use of the child and teachers time and improve on meeting educational standards and goals.

Play is supposed to be fun and creative.

Some questions and ideas to ponder about play and

outcomes.

Without play would there be any inventors, artists, builders, scientists or discovery?

That question I feel represents how important play is to a child, and even the world.

Also could a more play filled childhood have helped prevent some of the terrible atrocities committed by dictators and militant cult leaders like Hitler and David Koresh?

Play helps children build social skills and compassion for others ideals and ways of life.

Discover the value of play for yourself.

Did somebody say lets play?