To a Child Play is Learning...

Children learn to play, and play to learn. Play is not merely a distraction, but it is the child's life. A young child learns more practical knowledge during the early years than at any other time in life. Infants are pioneers setting forth to explore the world and all it has to offer and they learn through playing. For example, a ball rolls and when you drop something it goes down. Through play children learn things they need to get along in the world.

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From Birth

After birth the five senses begin working and a child sets out to explore. The young child is curious about life and learns through playing games. By playing a child becomes on first-person, and first-hand terms with immediate surroundings. The child is able to learn what common things are like and what he/she can do with them through play. Young children learn in a different manner than older children. They learn by contact with real objects, events and people, by exploring and discovering. Home and surrounding environment has an affect on how effective play is. For play to result in good learning the child must first participate in the life going on around him/her. Through play a child learns concepts, relationships, cause and effect, sizes, colors, textures, feelings, emotions, sensations, sounds, symbols, and language among other things. Play allows children to find out about themselves and the world. It allows them to; discover, experiment, create, concentrate, express ideas, work with others, use their imagination, and learn new skills.