Playful Learning and Learning through Play

Bee Kids: Buzzing about playful learning

Bee Kids has been talking about playful learning since 2010. We began by handing over the rules of play to the children in our care. We provided toys, books, topics to explore, a selection of arts and crafts projects, space, and time. In response, the children engaged and taught us what and how they wanted to learn. Our philosophy has always been:

Children learn best when they have the freedom & opportunity to BE KIDS.

What is playful learning?

A young boy is crawling through a soft yellow tunnel.

Essentially, playful learning is PLAY:

  • Science and creativity.
  • Exploration
  • Learning.
  • Fun.
  • Adventure.
  • Imagination.
  • Discovery.
  • Play is SELF-AID

Playing assists in the development of fine and gross motor skills. Through play, children develop socially and emotionally; they learn how to negotiate, collaborate, initiate, follow, lead, and participate. In fact, globally, early childhood experts cite that children learn best through play (not through being taught).

[bctt tweet=”There is no more effective way to learn than to learn through play. #letkidsbekids” username=”@bee_kids”]

Sadly, over the years, early education has been taken over by assessments, targets, reports, literacy and numeracy goals, and more. Young children complete worksheets to practice their ABCs and 123s. Extensive research finds that play is the natural state in which children learn most effectively and yet the only time to play is during break time.

So, what can we do?

We can:

playful learning; playful learning activities; playful learning resources; learning through play; early years education; preschool play; children's play; importance of play

  • Allow play
  • Encourage play
  • Maximize play
  • Promote play
  • Use play
  • Incorporate play
  • Participate in play
  • Observe play
  • Let children play

Of course, it can be challenging when faced with the onslaught of information about a child’s developing brain. It is difficult to find a balance when policymakers, grandparents, friends, neighbors, colleagues, the media, etc… insist that:

“NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO LEARN.“

We might feel guilty for not joining multiple baby and toddler classes. Anxiety or worry plague us if our sons and daughters don’t know their ABC’s by the time they are 3 years old when, in fact, the average age for children to show interest is between 3-6; and studies repeatedly show that teaching children to read before they are ready can have a negative effect on their learning in the future).

Playing is vital to the healthy development of children’s minds and bodies. When we micro-manage a child’s play or place more value on “adult-approved” play, we are limiting our children’s potential and denying them one of the most beautiful freedoms of childhood. Let’s change the dialogue:

“NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO PLAY!“

Bee Kids aims to support parents, educators, and children in the pursuit of play. Let’s promote and encourage play. You can follow and participate in the Bee Kids journey by subscribing to this site and through joining the discussion on social media.

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