child development

Our program promotes play in different ways that can benefit children development. Our class has different areas where children can spend time working with other children or by themselves. We have different activities they can also do for example playing in the block area children will use their imagination on all the things they can create. There’s also books, puzzles, toys, computers that children can use to play academic games and during outside time we provide children different materials for them to use like balls, toys, blocks and tricycles to maintain them active. Our classroom has different areas where children can also play for example the dramatic play is where children can create their own roles.

When children participate in play they are engaging in collaboration, communication, content, creativity, critical thinking, and confidence. This can also be described as “the Six Cs” (Gillespie, 2017). These are skills that young children will need in adulthood and they are developing them through play. When students are engaging in play, they are developing physical, mental, cognitive, language, and motor skills. Playing allows students to use their imagination and creativity.

Play is how children learn to socialize, to think, to solve problems, to mature and most importantly, to have fun. Play connects children with their imagination, their environment, their parents and teacher and the world. Play is the most powerful, productive and efficient way to learn the information young children

Play contributes to the development of a child cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically. In the area of cognitive progress, a child can grow into higher thinking, creativity, and problem solving skills. Socially, they can learn through social interaction taking turns, patience, and sharing in addition to developing friendships. Developing emotionally a child can express their thoughts, feelings, gain self-confidence, and competence. Through play they can develop physically by testing their balance systems, judging distances, and hand-eye coordination.

"However, children's play is not only focused on amusement but also provides opportunities to build fundamental life skills. Through play, children can develop physical, emotional, social and cognitive ability as they can increase the intellectual level such as colors, shapes and even language, and also develop communication ability to share emotions such as joy, fear, sorrow and anxiety. These development acquired during all stages of childhood becomes the core building blocks for their adolescence and adulthood and is "fundamental

According to these authors, when children are exposed to child-led play they “increase their social competence and emotional maturity…. verbal and nonverbal skills… respond to their peers’ feelings… experiment with roles”(SOURCE!!!!). They skills that a child can acquire through the simple act of playing are essential to their healthy development. Children can “increase their social competence and emotional maturity” by learning how to relieve stress and cope with their feeling while playing. For example, a young child may learn that when they are sad, they can play with their toys in such a way that d... ... middle of paper ... ...velop gross motor skills by learning to crawl, then walk, then run.

Second, play supports children’s reasoning of cause and effect. Under teachers’ mediations, children cultivate their interests to learn language. Third, play with pleasure is th... ... middle of paper ... ...performance will benefit them later in life. Play environments give children many and varied life experiences. Active involvements and interactions with peers and adults give young children opportunity to learn and communicate more.

Benefits of creative play Creative play creates dynamic, unifying activities that integrate many areas of learning across the curriculum. As Knight (2011) discusses, early learning involves learning through stimulating play activities with appropriate caregivers support to provide young children with essential foundations for later learning. A combination of real and imaginary experiences is needed to encourage young children to learn. Children use play opportunities to encourage and extend the problem solving abilities that are essential to developing their intellectual process. Games with rules Games with rules are a level of play that imposes rules that must be followed by the players.

Through the use of teacher directed and student initiated activities, students become more engaged in learning and therefore develop the skills necessary to become self-directed learners. By stimulating their interest and motivating a love for learning, teachers can use preschool curricula to build school- and life-related skills. There have been links between play and child development, especially in the areas of creativity, reasoning, executive function, and regulation of emotions (Bodrova, Germeroth, & Leong 2103). Active play is needed for healthy brain growth and not only strengthens muscles, but stimulates brain activity leading to higher levels of interest and curiosity. Through play children are able to try out different ways to handle and address stressful or hurtful situations and stand strong when facing challenging situations.

Children are able to create a world where they can master and conquer their fears while practicing adult roles (Ginsburg 3). As they master their own world, they “develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency they will need to face future challenges” (Ginsburg 3). Through this, children not only learn how to respond to certain situations and how their actions affect others, but also learn more about themselves and their own emotions (Morgan 2). Unstructured play allows children to move at their own pace and “practice decision making skills, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to