Meaningful Play In Early Childhood

Play is the most important medium for development and learning for young children aged birth to eight years explains ann barbour a professor of early childhood education at california state university los angeles.

Meaningful play in early childhood. Anna housley juster phd began her career as a head start teacher seventeen years ago and has been in the field of early childhood education and research ever since. Early childhood classrooms play materials in the classroom are extremely important for multiple developmental perspectives such as cognitive social emotional physical and language. She is co founder of pop up adventure play supporting child directed play in a variety of communities.

In her tedx talk talk professor doris fromberg director of early childhood teacher education at hofstra university explains why play is such an important part of the learning process for children. Her research interests include play in children adults and the elderly along with teacher preparation early childhood education and professional development schools. Early childhood learning is taking place at a speed that will never be equalled 5 the preschool or pre primary education years fall in the middle of the early childhood period and lay the groundwork for success in school and beyond 6 although this brief is focused on the pre primary years we note that learning through play is relevant.

Adults today tend to think back on their childhood play memories with nostalgia and often call them the good old days memories of joyful and meaningful play experiences help bind families together emotionally even long after children are grown. We need to consider that young children learn in quite different ways than adults. Teachers need to be cognizant of the age appropriate play material equipment and furniture for the classroom.

Drew is the founder of the institute for self active education with the mission to awaken the creative potential of children and adults through enjoyable play with. Research continues to point out that young children learn best through meaningful play experiences yet many preschools are transitioning from play based learning to becoming more academic in.