Learning through play

There are numerous ways a child can learn and many would say that the best way for young children to learn is through play. When children are engaged in play, it is easy for anyone to notice how inspiring and rewarding it is for the child. Playing also provides children with a great amount of emotional satisfaction. Studies have shown that the function play involves from a day-to-day basis has a great involvement in a child's overall development. Playing can help develop a child's imagination and creativity, a child's social skills and physical development by improving a child's gross and fine motor skills (Sheridan, 2002).

The are many different types of play, but according to Sheridan(2002), she states that there are 5 specific types of play:-

• Active play - this is significant for physical development. It can be indoor or outdoor and involves using the head and limbs in climbing, running, kicking and also involves rough and tumble.
• Explorative and manipulative play - this involves the child from about 3 months engaging in 'finger play' and using its senses to explore their environment.
• Imitative play - this is when babies and children copy and perform the actions of what they see repeatedly, for example, a child who has been to an appointment with a doctor may act out the scene whilst playing. This type of play is important for a child's social, cognitive and symbolic development.
• Constructive play - this play involves children exploring and creating something with materials, for example, building a tower of blocks.
• Pretend play - this is when children invent make-believe situations from observation and imitation, for example, 'let's pretend were teachers'.

Active play

Explorative and Manipulative play

Imitative play

                        

Pretend play

 

 

 

Constructive play

As children choose when they want to play, they create their own world where they set their own rules and goals.There is no risk of failure when children play and children are in control and as a result this helps build on their confidence and self -belief (Bennett and Henderson, 2013).

It is clear today that play in the 21st century is vital to a child's physical, emotional, social and intellectual development. If a child doesn't have enough healthy play, they become at risk of starting school unprepared and growing up without the required skills and overall not reaching their potential. Play gives children a love of learning, and therefore it's important for children to have happy, healthy play in their lives (Butler, 2008).