Most of us have noticed that young children are always busy doing something, involved in some or the other kind of exploration. We may think that they are wasting their time but that’s not so. Children love playing. It is innate in them. Playing is one such activity that they find fun and enjoyable as they take their play very seriously.
They are curious by nature, and playing provides them with opportunities to handle and examine objects and explore their surroundings. This way they find answers to their questions and understand the reason why things happen the way they do. Playing not only develops their thoughts, but it also builds their concentration and focus.
Playing facilitates learning, and learning through play is fun. So, I often tell the parents of my kindergarten students, who are quite worried about their children investing their time in playing rather than studying, that when they play they are not just playing, they are “learning by doing”. They make use of all their senses to learn about their surroundings which has a long-lasting effect on their lives. For instance, a child playing with Lego blocks is not only improving his fine motor skills and problem-solving skills, but is also building his creative thinking.
All researchers agree that children learn best through play and it fosters the development of all the domains. Several studies reveal that children who have no opportunities for play and stimulation lag behind in all areas of development.
So, to sum it up I would quote famous American author, Joline Godfrey’s words-
“All work and no play doesn't just make Jill and Jack dull, it kills the potential of discovery, mastery, and openness to change and flexibility, and it hinders innovation and invention”.
So, let’s go ‘Play-Way’!
Mukta Mishra
Pre-primary Teacher