“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” – Fred Rogers
Whether they are building block towers, playing hide-and-seek, or exploring nature, you’ve no doubt seen your child lost in the joy of play. What can look like pure fun to adults is actually building complex processes in the brain. These moments of play have a powerful impact! Through play, children can practice and reinforce their learning in many areas, including problem-solving, regulating emotions, creativity, physical coordination, and social skills.
To ensure your child receives all the benefits of play, you can incorporate play into your child’s life at home and ensure they’re enrolled in a preschool program that prioritizes play. At The Gardner School of Dublin and The Gardner School of Powell, we’ve always incorporated ample time for play into our curriculum, and our students are thriving!
What Play Looks Like at TGS
When you think of your child playing at school, your first thought might be picturing them on the playground. While TGS does provide playscapes for our students, we also use a variety of tools that go beyond the playground!
Our classrooms are designed for playful learning, and our students enjoy choosing from a variety of learning stations available. Each classroom is equipped with different learning centers tailored to different age groups. These centers include areas with objects for imaginative play, hard and soft building materials, art supplies, cozy reading nooks, and sensory tables.
The Gardner School supports a diverse mix of learning approaches to help meet the needs and strengths of every student. Each learning program is broken down by age and reflects the belief that children thrive with a blend of daily child-initiated and teacher-facilitated activities.
Free Play and Guided Play
There are two primary categories of play-based learning: free play and guided play. Free play is self-directed and unstructured (child-initiated). It encourages children to use their imagination. Guided play (teacher-facilitated) allows our qualified teachers to help children focus their play around specific learning goals. Teachers offer support and ask open-ended questions that guide the next level of child-directed exploration. With their teacher’s guidance and support, students at TGS feel safe to explore and try new things.
TGS Tip: There is a balance between play and more structured learning. We created this blog to help you strike a balance and support your child on their learning journey outside of TGS.
The Benefits of Play
Different types of play have different benefits for children.
- Sensory Play involves activities that stimulate a child’s senses: touch, smell, taste, sight, and hearing. This type of play is essential for developing fine motor skills and understanding the world around them. Activities like playing with sand, water, or Play-Doh help children explore different textures and improve hand-eye coordination. Sensory play also supports language development as children learn to describe their experiences and sensations.
- Creative Play allows children to express themselves and explore their imaginations. It can include drawing, painting, crafting, or building with blocks. Through creative play, children learn to solve problems, think critically, and develop their own ideas. Encouraging your child to engage in creative activities helps them build confidence and a love of learning.
- Physical Play is crucial for developing gross motor skills and overall physical health. Activities like running, jumping, climbing, and dancing help children improve their strength, coordination, and balance. Regular physical play also supports emotional regulation, helping children manage their feelings and reduce stress. It’s no wonder that after a good play session, children often feel happier and more relaxed.
- Social Play teaches children how to interact with others, share, take turns, and resolve conflicts. Whether they’re playing house, taking part in a group game, or engaging in role-playing, children learn valuable social skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Social play also helps children develop empathy as they learn to understand and respond to the emotions of others.
More than just a chance to have fun, the many forms of play enrich a child’s brain, body, and life in important ways.
The Gardner School: Where Play Equals Learning
At The Gardner School, we tap into children’s natural urge to play. The joyful learning experiences we create for our students build a strong foundation for a lifelong love of learning. The Gardner School of Dublin and The Gardner School of Powell are both accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC accreditation represents the highest-quality benchmark in early childhood education, awarded to preschools that provide a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment where every child can thrive.
Come explore our beautiful Columbus-area locations in Dublin and Powell to learn more about our approach to early childhood education. Contact us today to set up a tour!
