Coach's
Column

An essential question we need to ask ourselves to enhance our practice is: Why does play matter? Children learn through play and play to learn. Children learn about themselves, their bodies and their feelings. They learn and connect with others around them. They learn about their environment and "things" in their environment, like toys and nature. Through active hand-on play; children will develop their motor and movement skills, problem solving and cognitive skills, language and social skills.

An additional essential question we need to ask ourselves to enhance our practice is: What is the importance of play-based learning?

Play-based learning at its finest utilizes the environment as a third teacher, in conjunction with the students and classroom facilitator. A place where every activity and object placed in the space has a purpose, adds to the learning, and helps scaffold information across the learning domains.

In children's brains, when they are playing, they are doing the deepest learning. Children learn best when at least one of these four pillars are present in the classroom:

1. The child is able to take an active role in the learning environment

2. The child is engaged

3. The information presented is meaningful

4. The child is able to learn and interact in a social context

As educators we are creating learning environments that support frequent and long periods of sophisticated engagement. We are also balancing intentional interactions that are attuned and aligned with genuine child interests and passions. By observing, reflecting and being prepared to interact flexibly, we are in essence following the child's lead. With the information collected we are able to show engaged support of learning. We are spending most of our time in active facilitation by being involved with our students, providing intentional opportunities and guidance for learning and development. We are also furthering our student's emotional and behavioral support by emphasizing children's interests, motivations, and points of view.

"Children can learn in different ways, like building cities, recognizing patterns and counting by numbers. These are just a few activities we do with our unifix cubes in class every day."

We are so thankful for educators like Juanita Ayora from Kid City USA, who continue to show evidence of implementation from our recent technical assistance following our workshop. We thank you for your dedication and willingness to pir into the next generation through education as we elevate and promote the highest quality early childhood development and education in Indian River County.

Amanda, Todd, and Jensen