As we discussed in our previous post, Learning Through Play: Play-Based Education in Early Childhood, play-based learning helps children develop skills that last a lifetime. Learn more about how play-based learning helps prepare children to succeed in the 21st century.
As schools grapple with instructional shifts to support 21st century skills, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a clinical report supporting play as a vehicle to attain such skills, stating that, “Play is fundamentally important for learning 21st century skills, such as problem solving, collaboration, and creativity, which require the executive functioning skills that are critical for adult success”.
–Understanding the Value of Play from Birth Through 3rd Grade, New York State Education Department
The Benefits of Play-Based Learning for Early Childhood Development
- Encourages creativity and imagination
- Fosters problem-solving skills
- Promotes social interaction and cooperation
- Enhances language development and communication skills
- Supports emotional regulation and self-expression
- Stimulates cognitive development and critical thinking
- Improves fine and gross motor skills
- Builds resilience and adaptability
- Cultivates a love for learning
- Provides opportunities for exploration and discovery
- Encourages independence and decision-making
- Instills a sense of curiosity and wonder
- Facilitates the development of empathy and understanding
- Promotes risk-taking and experimentation in a safe environment
- Supports the development of executive function skills, like planning and organization
- Builds confidence and self-esteem
- Prepares children for future academic success while nurturing a lifelong love of learning
