Learning through play

WHAT goes on during the early years of a child’s life has a profound effect on the child’s learning and development later in life. A baby is born with billions of brain cells and each of these brain cells or neurons seeks to connect with other neurons.

In the place where the neurons interact with each other is a minute gap called the synapse.

As our brain is stimulated, a chemical reaction occurs and creates a link across the gap. When the synapses are stimulated repeatedly, the connection strengthens and becomes a quick and accurate pathway.

The development of learning can be understood as the increase in connections between brain cells (new learning) and the strengthening of existing connections (consolidation of learning).

The first five years of a child’s life is the most important period of brain growth outside the womb.

New learning is happening at a rapid rate as the child seeks to make sense of the world.

During this process of learning, play is seen to be important that the United Nations state that “every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts”.

Toddlers benefit hugely from a focus on play in a safe and stimulating environment. Educational experts recommend that schools and toddler groups have two classrooms – one indoor and one outdoor.

The outdoor play environment should be used as an extension of the indoor classroom.

It has to be as carefully planned as the indoor activity centres to help children with consolidating learning and constructing new learning.

When toddlers engage in physical play, they develop dexterity, coordination, balance and also their sense of spatial awareness.

Activities such as building with blocks, cutting and pasting papers, matching, sorting, playing with a toy car, throwing and catching balls, and most other activities involving the usage of hands and fingers help develop the child’s fine motor skills as well as hand-eye coordination.

Play does not necessarily have to include commercial toys. Games of tag or hand-clapping games are as effective and have been enjoyed for years.

It is imperative that parents and educators recognise the importance of play-based learning in the social, academic and physical development of children. As developmental psychologist Erik Erikson said, “the playing child advances forward to new stages of mastery.”

For more information, visit www.nexus.edu.my