Play is a vital ingredient in Early Years at BSC

Play is a vital ingredient in Early Years at BSC. Children are born curious about the world in which they live and from a very young age begin to explore by using their senses. Play is innate and at BSC we nurture this to ensure that children grow and develop at a rate that is right for each individual child. 

Well planned, purposeful play supports the seven areas of learning and develops important skills for learning. 

A group of children were playing with the playdough, manipulating the dough to make different shapes. Through effective interactions by the adult the children began talking with their peers about the food they like to eat, the shape, the size and the colour. This led on to making different foods which were then used in the role play area, as children took on different roles of adults at home. 

The children were encouraged to count the food as they shared it on to plates ready to give to their friends. The children sat at the table as their food was served and used a knife and fork to cut the food in to pieces. By adding simple recipe cards, the children are also being exposed to print.  So much learning took place during this time and the children were already involved and motivated because the type of play was age appropriate and relevant, supporting connections to their real-life experiences. 

In early years children are given opportunities to explore their environment and make choices about what they would like to do and how they are going to do it. When children can lead their own learning they are engaged and motivated to achieve their goals. Through play, children have opportunities to think creatively and critically and to reason with ideas and solve problems.

Primarily children learn through play by experimenting. Modern brain research and imaging has shown the benefits of play and how it builds and strengthens the brain pathways, creating flexibility and improving the potential for learning.