Kids need to play in the same way they need to sleep. However, it’s important to remember play is not the same for every child. For preschoolers, it can be a make-believe world. Toddlers and babies can have a lot of fun moving back and forth on the floor, banging toys together, pouring water, or spinning in circles.
Play is crucial in early childhood education, so you want to find a preschool in Potomac, MD that works it into every part of their curriculum.. So many people don’t realize that children of all ages learn about the world through play. Children learn and improve their language, math, science, problem-solving, relationships, and bodies through play.
When they play, kids can make links between the real world and abstract ideas. Playing provides fun and engaging learning situations where children get to practice and master a variety of skills.
What is it about playing, though, that makes it so good for kids? Many adults are shocked at just how many physical and mental benefits playing provides.
Through playing kids are able to explore their thoughts and their emotions. With role play kids can act out different situations, try out new things, and work through tough feelings.
Playing also teaches kids how to get along and work together. They learn how to share, wait their turn, and settle disagreements. Role-playing or imaginative play is an excellent example of this, as kids can try out different things and learn how those roles fit in various social situations.
Always encourage children to play as it allows them to grow socially and emotionally. What some adults fail to realize is it also helps them learn a lot of new things. For example, building blocks help kids solve problems as they figure out what to do when a specific block doesn’t work as they wanted it to. Creative play and art projects allow kids to use their imagination to come up with new ideas of things to do.
Always choose a preschool in North Potomac, MD, that offers several different types of play, allowing children to reap all the different benefits.
Kids learn how to share, wait their turn, and invite others to join when playing in a group. Playing in large and small groups helps kids improve their language skills and shows them how important communication is. Preschool or daycare settings are ideal places for young children to make friends and engage in social activities. However, you can also set up play dates with family and friends or head to the park to give your children the chance to play with others.
Play like this requires mobility and activity. Kids run around, climb on things, and swing on a hammock. Almost anything works that will get them moving! We all know that physical play benefits physical health and development, but what some of us don’t realize is its also good for the brain. When going through obstacle courses, children must think ahead to figure out what they will do to get through it successfully.
Using imagination during play helps develop and improve their communication skills. When using their imagination children are creating their own games, as well as making up the rules to the game as they go along. Imaginative play is constantly changing as children figure out what does and doesn’t work.
Another type of imaginative play is role-playing. Youngsters pretend to be someone else or somewhere else by using their imagination. Play that is imaginative fosters creativity and narrative abilities. Through role-playing, children are able to explore different feelings while learning how those feelings fit into different situations.
To encourage imaginative play in children, simply provide them with the things they need to act out the roles they are playing. If they are dressed up as bakers, this could include items like a whisk and bowl. If they want to play doctor, find them a lab coat and some medical tools. Most parents find it easier to just put together a dress-up box with a variety of props inside so kids can pick and choose who they want to be.
Constructive play helps with fine motor skills development as it involves children experimenting with music, building things, and drawing. Constructive play also helps children grasp distance and size, for example, whether things are small or far away. For example, building things with blocks or other objects helps children learn about size and how things fit together, all while improving their fine motor skills.
No matter how much you want to step in, you must let children solve their own problems while playing. It’s crucial to let children solve their problems during this type of play. This allows them to work on their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills as they work through the potential ways to fix things. And no matter what, never show them the “right” way to do something. It might make more sense to you to do it in a specific way, but for children to learn, they need to figure out the best way.
Youngsters can learn about fairness through games with rules. With smaller kids, you can engage in easy games like “Ring Around the Rosie” or “Simon Says.” However, you might be surprised how many older kids still enjoy playing those games. Board games are a popular choice for family game nights as almost everybody finds them fun to play, but they also are an excellent way to teach your children about rules.
One of the most important things about play and early childhood is offering unstructured play. This means that the child doesn’t have to reach a certain goal or result. With unstructured play, children create their own games and rules, which allows them to try new ideas and make changes as needed when things aren’t working out.
While kids are playing without a plan, they can do whatever they want, which lets them use their minds and be creative. When playing in a group, not everybody is going to agree with how things are going. Through unstructured playtime, children learn how to compromise with each other so everybody is happy and the playing continues. Failure to reach an understanding often ends the playing. When kids play without being told what to do, parents and other adults should let them do it their way. Making up things and telling stories is part of being a kid; think back to how many stories you used to tell as a kid.
Play is vital for a child’s growth and should be encouraged whenever possible. Playing is a huge part of early childhood education, as it aids in children’s learning, growth, and development in unique ways. When children are allowed to play, they not only discover new things about the world around them, but they learn about being a good friend and how to get along with others.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.