Importance of Play

Maple Seeds Preschool Cooperative is a play-based program centered on the philosophy that play is the “work” of children and that children learn best through play. But don’t just take our word for it. Multiple studies have proven that play promotes learning and development in young children. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) article, The Case of Brain Science and Guided Play: A Developing Story, substantial evidence supports a play-based curriculum, as shown in this excerpt:

A growing body of behavioral research establishes relationships between children’s play and development in several areas, including language (Toub et al. 2016), executive functions (Tominey & McClelland 2011), mathematics and spatial skills (Fisher et al. 2013), scientific thinking (Schulz & Bonawitz 2007), and social and emotional development (Dore, Smith, & Lillard 2015). One reason that play might be such a valuable pedagogical tool is that it features the precise contexts that facilitate learning. An amalgamated research field called the science of learning has identified four key ingredients of successful learning: learning occurs best when children are mentally active (not passive), engaged (not distracted), socially interactive (with peers or adults), and building meaningful connections to their lives (Hirsh-Pasek et al. 2015). 

With those key ingredients in mind, Maple Seeds Preschool Cooperative provides a wide range of play areas and activities that allow children to direct their own play, encouraging active and engaged learning. Through our many group activities and social interactions, children learn to respect each other, control their bodies, and develop good listening skills. Children also have access to a teacher and several parents in the classrooms, who help guide them in building connections between learning activities and their lives.

To learn how to incorporate meaningful play at home click on the following link:

https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/five-essentials-meaningful-play