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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Don't fall into the false "play vs learning" bit. Play is a way to learn, or as NAEYC puts it, "Play is a child’s context for learning."

"Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play. It gives them a place and a time for learning that cannot be achieved through completing a worksheet. For example, in playing restaurant, children write and draw menus, set prices, take orders, and  make out checks.  Play provides rich learning opportunities and leads to children’s success and self-esteem." (http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/child-development/10-things-every-parent-should-know-about-play)[/quote]

That still explains nothing at all about how two teachers manage a class of 16 3 year olds, provide an environment to work on their gross and fine motor skills, ensure introduction to literacy skills, and, above all, a harmonious and positive social-emotional experience where kids feel secure as they grow into socializing with each other.  [/quote]

Not to mention, how does a teacher ensure that kids playing restaurant are actually going to write menus, set prices, and write checks?  The teachers can't/won't/shouldn't force them to include this in their play. [b]What the heck is wrong with interspersing short periods of focused academics with longer periods of free play[/b]?[/quote]

Yes, ideally it is about balance. But if the preschool does not have properly educated/experienced staff, more damage can be done by pushing academics than in a play-based environment. I would steer away from an academic preschool unless I trust the competency of the staff. At least one person in a preschool should have early education credentials, and I know at least one preschool where that is not the case.

I agree, although I would expand the notion of "academics" to include more than just literacy, and also gross and fine motor skill activities and music.  Many kids *love* that kind of direct instruction anyway, in small doses.  Conversely, free play especially for the little ones needs to be carefully overseen to scaffold social and emotional skills, and give the 1:1 interaction that kids that age still need with grownups. Basically like all else in life, it's about balance. [/quote][/quote]

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