Why is play important for a child’s development ?

At GrowingTree Early Education we believe that hands-on, experimental learning is the best educational approach for children and we do this through a strong connection to nature and the outdoors, interest-lead learning, emergent curriculum, a play-based focus, enquiry-based teaching style and authentic play. When Children’s natural curiosity is encouraged, learning flows!

Play is vital for children. Through play young children explore and learn to understand the world around them as they come to communicate, discover, imagine and create. When children play they are showing what they have learned and what they are trying to understand. This is why play is one of the foundations of the EYLF. A play-based program does not mean that children just ‘do what they like’ all day. In a play-based program there will be times when children come together as a group, listen when others are talking, follow the rules of the group, begin to take responsibility for their actions and their environment.

Children are offered choices that reflect their developmental stage. The choices are determined by the educational team and are provided within limits of safety and within the group setting. The educational team continually evaluate children’s play to discover what it is children are learning and to then help shape and extend this learning.

The children’s day is filled with opportunities to test their skills, build on their ability to communicate and interact with others, gain new knowledge and retest learned skills. It is about the process of learning and never about a produced product! It is about fun, being safe, being nurtured and trusted.

Contact our friendly team online  today or click here to enrol your child at GrowingTree Early Education.