Provide play and learning experiences
In this section we will explore play, and look at how to provide appropriate play and learning environments and experiences to encourage children’s development and enhance their enjoyment.
You will find out that the design and planning of the children’s environment and of their play and learning experiences are closely interwoven.
The importance of play
Play is essential to children’s healthy growth and development. It is how children learn about their world and how they fit into it. Play is a powerful learning tool that provides the basis for children to learn the skills they develop as they grow up, and continue to use throughout their lives.
Play allows children to:
- release energy
- express feelings
- learn about how people do things
- develop accurate ideas of others
- develop new knowledge and skills (including problem solving, conceptual understanding, self esteem and self concept, and social skills).
- experience control and mastery over their environment.
