‘Play is like a biological drive, a need that is as important for them as eating and sleeping’ Brown, 2003:22
Play is a vital tool in suppporting children’s learning and development. At Wee Gems, we believe in using holistic approach in our setting combined with a rich environment where children can become engaged in their surroundings and build relationships with those around them.
The term ‘holistic’ is relating to the idea that things should be studied as a whole and not just as a sum of their parts, meaning that we are looking at the whole child, not just separate aspects such as physical or emotional health. Through this approach, the aim is to help the child be more aware of themselves, their health and wellbeing, strengths and weaknesses and their relationship with others and the world they live in. The role of the educator is paramount in this as part of the holistic approach is that we are all connected together as a community and by having a good secure relationship with those who are teaching and learning with the children will help them to feel safe and more comfortable in their environment. Effective questioning by adults will encourage creativity, thinking and problem solving. Through play, children can be themselves and be free to use their imagination.
Play can take many different forms, including fantasy, imaginative, explorative and role play. During this time, children will use many different skills that they have previously learned, and it will also help to build and develop their current skills; for example, cooperative play with groups of children will help to develop their social skills and also their ability to understand other people’s feeling and see things from others point of view.
Here at Wee Gems, we let our children lead their own learning, by being responsive to their interests and allowing them to explore their environments, giving them the opportunities to develop their learning through free play. Free play is thought to provide a richer learning environment for young children. Froebel believed that ‘free play was the highest form of learning’. When children are given the freedom to choose their own activities, we are allowing them to let their interests and curiosity guide them so the learning they gain will be more meaningful. Among other aspects, Bruce believes that through play, children can think through their ideas and apply them in many ways. They develop relationships with not only others but also with themselves and the world around them and it helps them to develop abstract ideas relating to how they think and feel. (Bruce, 2011, p96).
Our play based approach will continue to support our children’s development and learning, to help them become confident individuals, successful learners, responsible citizens and effective contributors. Our practitioners are all extremely passionate in helping our children develop, and we will continue to progress our own skills and development in order to help our children achieve to their highest potential.
Written By Terri Johnston
Manager of Wee Gems Livingston
