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“Play time!” What is the first thought that comes to mind when you hear those words? Parents might frown whenever their kids scream for more play time, but did you know that imaginative play is one of the best ways to grow your child’s brain? In fact, research has shown that play-based learning is the most effective type of learning during early childhood development.

What Is Play-based Learning?

Play-based learning is an early childhood education approach where children are actively involved in their own learning. This method stimulates our youngest learners’ innate curiosity and provides a natural training ground to respond to their surroundings.

Children’s method of play will develop as they grow according to their preferences, abilities, and skills. Some of them may have the tendency for constructive play-like building blocks-that focuses on developing spatial sensitivity and motor skills. Others may prefer imaginative plays, for example, a simple drama with role-play, that will help develop their creative-thinking skills.

All in all, these types and methods of play in a play-based learning program encourage children to be active, productive, and engaged in their lessons and the skills being taught.

What Is Play-based Learning

The Untold Benefits of Play-based Learning

If you haven’t been fully convinced of play-based learning, let’s take a look at its many benefits:

1. Inviting Active, Sensory Participation

Play involves the child’s senses through the acts of seeing, listening, touching, and smelling. This form of hands-on experience is effective in helping them learn and understand better. As an illustration, providing a range of materials such as sand, water, or textured fabrics for exploration encourages sensory play. Children actively use their senses to investigate the properties of these materials, enhancing both motor skills and sensory awareness.

2. Enhancing Social Skills

Playing exposes children to numerous social settings that can equip them for real situations they may experience later in life. By playing with their friends, children learn to share, cooperate, express emotions, and resolve problems and conflicts. This is not only an opportunity to learn how to express themselves in correct and appropriate ways but also allows them to develop true friendships.

3. Practicing Communication and Language Skills

One of the main benefits of play-based learning is improving children’s literacy and language skills. Play-based activities enable children to refine their language abilities and acquire new words. It also allows them to link written and spoken words of expression while understanding the structure and meaning of new words.

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4. Increasing Creativity and Encouraging Imagination.  

When children learn and play at the same time, they can unleash their creativity and imagination by obtaining new ideas and exploring them in different ways. Creating play environments that simulate real-world scenarios or fantastical settings can spark imaginative play. Whether it’s a pretend spaceship or kitchen, these environments can boost children’s creativity.

Read more: Fun and Practical Tips for Parents to Nurture Children’s Imagination

5. Inciting Curiosity and Fostering Enthusiasm

By implementing a play-based learning, children will become excited learners and critical thinkers. When children have fun in their learning space, they are more likely to be interested in learning and exploring new things. Additionally, it increases the retention of new information.

6. Improving Behavior in Class

Children burn energy during physical play which helps reduce stress and enhance concentration during times they are asked to sit and focus on a task. Additionally, many play activities involve rules and boundaries. Through play, children learn to follow rules, wait their turn, and exercise self-control. These skills contribute to improved behavior in a structured classroom setting.

7. Developing Physical Skills and Learning to be Resilient

Play-based learning encourages children to develop their physical skills. Through play, children learn how to throw and catch a ball, hop on one foot, and how to balance their body. For example, children can play hopscotch. This game is a good way to combine learning with a fun game. Through hopscotch, children have the opportunity to practice counting while refining motor skills and having fun simultaneously.

The best of all is that children are learning while having fun! Parents can easily support a child’s learning at home through various activities, like reading, solving puzzles, or playing outdoors. Doing this kills two birds with one stone: you are both encouraging their learning and having fun and making childhood memories that will be cherished by our young ones forever.

Read more: The Importance of Parent Involvement in Education

Sekolah Pelita Harapan provides high-quality Kindergarten programs with the best learning environment for your little ones by focusing on play-based learning. From sensory plays to fine and gross motor activities, Kindergarten classes at SPH cover a wide range of different types of play that promote well-balanced development in every area: cognitive, physical, socio-emotional, and spiritual.

Every developmental stage is important where our program has been carefully designed to bring out the best of your child at every level. Our holistic approach prepares children from the earliest age to be independent learners that will surely lay a solid foundation for their future learnings, and even beyond school years.

Global Curriculum, Local Impact. Explore SPH's Cambridge Program Today

Sekolah Pelita Harapan

Established in 1993, Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH) has become a trusted International Christian School in Jakarta providing Christian education for Indonesian and expatriate families. As a dedicated partner in education, SPH seeks to empower families with personalized programs and resources, fostering academic excellence, nurturing faith, building character, and facilitating their children's personal growth.