Help: What does "play-based" even mean?

[Anonymous]

Could use some help here figuring out terminology. I went to public school in another country in the 1980s. It wasn't until I came to the US that I first head about "play-based" schools. I didn't go to preschool but I remember K as being sort of blocks of time in which we did certain activities - there was art time, gym time, story time. Is this basically what play-based educational philosophy is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could use some help here figuring out terminology. I went to public school in another country in the 1980s. It wasn't until I came to the US that I first head about "play-based" schools. I didn't go to preschool but I remember K as being sort of blocks of time in which we did certain activities - there was art time, gym time, story time. Is this basically what play-based educational philosophy is?

Basically this, plus a big price tag if you're at a private.

[Anonymous]

Play-based means learning through play. It is especially important for younger kids, as that's how they learn best. Learning through playing dress-up or playing trains on the rug or train table - that kind of thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Play-based means learning through play. It is especially important for younger kids, as that's how they learn best. Learning through playing dress-up or playing trains on the rug or train table - that kind of thing.

But is that what they do all day? How is it structured, if at all?

[Anonymous]

It's an annoying term. At our school, although they had claimed to be 'play based' ... they switched out Pre-K 4 to be full days so that the children could be 'Kindergarten ready'

So it was bit and switch to the parents who started in Pre-K 3, half day, expecting 1/2 day for Pre-K 4 and less pressure to 'learn' in the traditional sense...we'd been sold the 'play based' ..
So, the best play based Pre-Ks are NCRC and possibly St Columbas here in DC...nurturing, sweet environments that parents rave about.
Wish we'd gone that route!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Play-based means learning through play. It is especially important for younger kids, as that's how they learn best. Learning through playing dress-up or playing trains on the rug or train table - that kind of thing.

But what is the difference between a play-based preschool and a playgroup? I'm trying to decide whether to send my kid to a play-based preschool or keep him in a playgroup we like very much. It's much more expensive for us to do the preschool. He already plays with trains and costumes at his playgroup. What would an expensive play-based preschool do that's any different?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Play-based means learning through play. It is especially important for younger kids, as that's how they learn best. Learning through playing dress-up or playing trains on the rug or train table - that kind of thing.

But what is the difference between a play-based preschool and a playgroup? I'm trying to decide whether to send my kid to a play-based preschool or keep him in a playgroup we like very much. It's much more expensive for us to do the preschool. He already plays with trains and costumes at his playgroup. What would an expensive play-based preschool do that's any different?

NP here and, IMO, the difference would probably only be felt on your pocketbook

[Anonymous]

Yes it's still structured. but it's stuff like "free play time," where there are some things set up that need teacher help, some things that the kids choose, and some that are always available (like blocks and books and dressup). At my kids play based school an hour of that plus an hour outdoors is the major thing making it play-based. They still have a circle/story time, snacks, lunch, etc.

the kids aren't running wild. there are rules for conduct. the idea is that the teachers aren't giving things to do, but helping them discover things to do.

[Anonymous]

Can someone with child development education can help these folks out? Many schools utilize it -- but I will let someone who knows better than I do explain it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Play-based means learning through play. It is especially important for younger kids, as that's how they learn best. Learning through playing dress-up or playing trains on the rug or train table - that kind of thing.

But what is the difference between a play-based preschool and a playgroup? I'm trying to decide whether to send my kid to a play-based preschool or keep him in a playgroup we like very much. It's much more expensive for us to do the preschool. He already plays with trains and costumes at his playgroup. What would an expensive play-based preschool do that's any different?

ask them. not being snarky. they should have a great answer for you. if you don't like the answer, they're not the right place.

I've co-oped at a playgroup and a co-op play based preschool and the difference is in the level of adult involvement and the purpose behind the involvement. at the playgroup we were basically babysitting. The preschool is more focused on developing skills--gross motor, fine motor, social and emotional. A little structure from professionals and training of the parents and while it still looks like play, different things are happening.

[Anonymous]

It's a trend and a ploy to get more money out of insecure wealthy parents.

"Children need to PLAY to learn." Um, ok, they don't need to necessarily do that in a school setting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Play-based means learning through play. It is especially important for younger kids, as that's how they learn best. Learning through playing dress-up or playing trains on the rug or train table - that kind of thing.

But what is the difference between a play-based preschool and a playgroup? I'm trying to decide whether to send my kid to a play-based preschool or keep him in a playgroup we like very much. It's much more expensive for us to do the preschool. He already plays with trains and costumes at his playgroup. What would an expensive play-based preschool do that's any different?

NP here and, IMO, the difference would probably only be felt on your pocketbook

+1 We sent our kid to one of the so-called "top" private preschools - one that is very much fawned over in DCUM-land - and it was a waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Play-based means learning through play. It is especially important for younger kids, as that's how they learn best. Learning through playing dress-up or playing trains on the rug or train table - that kind of thing.

Any cites for this?

[Anonymous]

My sense is that "play based" generally means less structure and fewer rules. Lots of "free choice." If you have a 100% standard issue kid, and there are otherwise decent care providers, then they'll be fine there. But if you have a kid who needs a little more attention, the wrong kind of play-based philosophy (especially with too many kids and not enough teachers) might mean that they end up with behavioral issues. Especially for the new 3s, they really flourish better with a lot of adult interactions. So the version of "play based" where the kids are just expected to play on their own, doesn't really work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Play-based means learning through play. It is especially important for younger kids, as that's how they learn best. Learning through playing dress-up or playing trains on the rug or train table - that kind of thing.

Any cites for this?

I agree - cites please. Not all kids like to play autonomously at 3. They want more adult interaction, and structure (developmentally appropriate) is good for them.