What Children Learn Through Play
Learn concepts:
- Physical concepts associated with the five senses- touching, tasting, smelling, seeing, and hearing
- Logical-mathematical concepts associated with classification, seriation, numeration, space (over, under, etc.), and time (before, after, etc.)
Develop social skills:
- Sharing
- Taking Turns
- Negotiating
- Compromising
- Leading
Develop physical skills:
- Using fine and large muscles
Develop and practice language and literacy skills:
- Phonological awareness-learning how sounds make up words and are used in words
- Conversation skills e.g., taking turns and responding appropriately)
Enhance self-esteem:
- Demonstrating accomplishments and abilities
- Relating own accomplishments to those of peers
Master life situations and prepare for adult life and roles:
- Learning how to become independent
- Thinking
- Making decisions
- Cooperating/collaborating with all others, including those who are different from the child culturally, racially, or in ability
Excerpted From:
Excerpt from Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education, by G. R. Morrison, 2008 edition, p. 221.
© 2008, Merrill, an imprint of Pearson Education Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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