Learning through Play in early childhood: Why Is It Important?

Play opens up a new world of learning opportunities. Yet many people, including parents, underestimate the power of learning through play. During these formative years, it’s essential for early learners and young primary school children to have plenty of play opportunities. Since school-going children spend a large part of their day in kindergarten or a preschool programme, it’s critical that parents look for schools that offer a play-based curriculum. Here’s a closer look at the importance of play and our play-based early childhood curriculum at OWIS.

Benefits of Play

Play affords numerous benefits that impact children well into adulthood and enhances all aspects of development. Growth in one area has a positive impact on other areas. For instance, gains in fine and gross motor skills enable children to engage in a greater variety of activities, which, in turn, creates more learning opportunities.

Play allows children to build on what they already know. As they do, they make connections between concepts and amass a deeper understanding of how the world works. Play not only improves factual knowledge but also builds “learning to learn” skills such as problem-solving and decision-making. Using their imaginations encourages children’s creativity.

Since play typically involves peers or family members, it nurtures socio-emotional and communication skills, too. Taking on roles in pretend play fosters respect for different perspectives and sensitivity to others’ emotions. Handling frustration and other negative feelings develops self-control. Negotiating rules teaches conflict resolution and collaboration. Play gives preschool children a sense of mastery of their environment, which builds confidence.

Impact When Play Is Lacking

When children don’t have enough time for play, they are more likely to have inattention and self-control problems. Unfortunately, this impact can extend to the teen years and beyond. Adolescents and young adults who had few opportunities for play in childhood are more prone to isolation, depression, anxiety and poor resilience.

Types of Play

• Physical. Activities such as skating or skipping rope improve fine and gross motor skills.
• Inventive. Art and craft activities build creativity and help children express their emotions. Improvising dance routines facilitates spatial awareness.
• Imaginative. Children learn social skills by taking on the roles of others, such as police officers or parents.
• Outdoor. Unlike other forms of play, this type always provides opportunities to connect with nature.
• Sensory. Sensory play engages one or more of the five senses and helps children concentrate and live in the moment.
• Small-world. Children take on make-believe roles while playing with miniature objects, people and animals, expanding their concept development.

Singapore’s Ministry of Community Development advocates a play-based curriculum in childcare centres and kindergartens.

OWIS Early Childhood Curriculum

At OWIS, preschool students follow the Early Years component of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). The IB PYP transcends conventional subject areas so children can understand how various topics relate to one another. This inquiry-led approach sparks curiosity, encouraging children to ask questions and seek out the answers. Rather than providing instruction directly, our kindergarten teachers act as facilitators, giving age-appropriate guidance to keep children on track. At the same time, children have some autonomy to direct their learning, fostering independence, critical thinking and problem-solving.

At OWIS, we recognise the importance of free play. Free play is unstructured play that gives children maximum agency. It often involves multisensory activities that hone motor skills and give children an outlet for pent-up energy. Active play in any form is healthy for children and can counteract obesity issues early on.

Our preschool classrooms are bright, spacious and stocked with age-appropriate toys, creating a safe place for early learners to expand their cognitive skills and take their creativity to the next level. During unstructured play, they are continually testing hypotheses and linking concepts. Hence, they enhance their skill sets beyond what is possible with rote learning.

Children have a natural desire to learn and use their imaginations. Free play enables them to be creative with whatever they have on hand. This builds resilience and teaches problem-solving skills.

Free play is also an excellent opportunity to learn social skills. As they set rules and negotiate various roles, children acquire the skills necessary for cooperation and conflict resolution. These activities also encourage communication. All of these skills are essential for future success.

At OWIS, we have thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor spaces where early learners can engage in various types of play while following COVID-19 safety guidelines. Play areas resemble the real world to make learning especially meaningful. But they’re built to scale so children can easily and confidently utilise them.

Young children need ample opportunities to learn through play, both at home and at school. A kindergarten programme that emphasises play sets the stage for children to develop into well-rounded, lifelong learners prepared to take on life’s challenges. To learn more about our early childhood programme at OWIS, contact us to schedule a virtual visit.