Tag: Children’s Play

Play and the acquisition of mathematical concepts

~ futureglobalchild ~ Leave a comment

Play in the classroom or at home provides opportunities for math explorations. Mathematical concepts that can be covered in the classroom are:

Number: A child could count a small group of children sitting at a table and give them one slice of apple each.

Patterns and algebra: A teacher could ask children to make up steps for a dance of their choice.

Measurements: Engaging in a cooking activity allows children to measure ingredients.

Space: Filling in sand in buckets of different sizes or putting away blocks extends children’s understanding of space.

Chance and data: Making predictions about the weather and giving reasons for the predictions.

In order for children to internalise the concepts, it is important for teachers and parents to encourage them to verbalise their understanding and to help them make meaning of the concept(s) instead of giving them the answers. Engaging in problem solving and reasoning helps children incorporate mathematical concepts naturally and successfully in their daily lives and in their schooling.

For further reading, refer to:

Yelland, N., Diezmann, C., & Butler, D. (2014). Early mathematical explorations. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

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Play and assessment in early childhood education: Is it a paradox?

~ futureglobalchild ~ Leave a comment

Play is a main medium where teachers can learn about the children. It provides an opportunity for teachers to observe and assess children systematically and frequently. Depending on how much time teachers have, they could observe by taking detailed notes as events are unfolding or by writing short summaries. Teachers can also collect samples or take pictures of children’s work to save in a portfolio.

The assessment through play is developmental and incremental in nature. Children achieve differently depending on the time, activity, and context. Play activities mirror children’s interactions with material, handling of new instructions, engagement with peers, problem solving abilities, implementation techniques, and task closure. Agency and creativity are also transparent through play.

For further reading, refer to:

Ebbeck, M. (2016). Assessing children’s learning through play. In M. Ebbeck & M. Waniganayake (Eds.), Play in early childhood education: Learning in diverse contexts (2nd ed., pp. 42-59). Victoria, Australia: Oxford University Press.

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Children’s Play

~ futureglobalchild ~ Leave a comment

pexels-photo-262488

Different cultures view play through different lenses. Sometimes parents ask their children to stop playing and start studying. In early childhood, learning is embedded in play.

By not playing and exploring the environment, children are missing out on important benefits.

Through play, children improve their communication skills, enhance their social and emotional wellbeing, develop a faster memory, and try creative solutions.

Most important, they live healthier and happier.

For more information, refer to the Parenting for Brain website.

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