Discussion Board Post Assignment

Question 1: Classroom Environment for Play

In my dream early childhood classroom, I imagine the quintessential learning space intended to support children aged 3 to 4 and cultivate learning through play in a vibrant and engaging setting. In understanding the learning approach of young children being interactive and exploratory, I will design a classroom that is dynamic and where play is at the forefront.

Areas and Materials

Dramatic Play Area

The space would be equipped with costumes, kitchen props, and puppets in this field to support children in fully participating in creative role-playing. The area would allow students to tell their stories and cultivate social skills by role-playing around themes of ‘supermarket,’ ‘hospital,’ or ‘fire station.’ Children gain important insights into different life circumstances by performing a variety of roles, driving increased empathy (Pereira et al., 2024).

Art and Sensory Area

This area would feature paints, markers, and crayons alongside various art supplies that can be used to build creativity and improve fine motor skills. Tactile experiences for stimulating exploration would come from sensory bins packed with rice, beans, or water beads (Heyi, 2020). In addition, I intend to encompass projects that include clay sculpting or finger painting, which help children communicate and support their cognitive development by playing with colors and forms (Parker et al., 2022).

Building and Construction Zone

The area will house a different collection of blocks, LEGOs, and additional building materials that encourage spatial reasoning and problem-solving. The possibility for kids to work together on building projects will help nurture teamwork and communication skills. For example, they could join forces to develop a bridge or a tower, showing their approaches (Oo et al., 2024). This cooperative play serves to develop their skill in expressing ideas along with other children.

Nature and Science Corner

Exploration and investigation of the world around us get a boost from using plants, little animals, or other items from nature. This area will present a compact garden for kid’s seed planting and growth observation, nurturing a commitment to responsibility and an insight into life cycles (Zosh et al., 2017). Through this area, conducting basic science experiments, concentrating on color blending, or weather observation could greatly enhance the children’s interest in exploration and critical thinking.

Reading Nook

A relaxed area loaded with many books, cushions, and soft lighting that would encourage a love for reading. In this corner, there will be a range of literature, including picture books, multicultural stories, and interactive texts. Storytime would allow children to either tell their own stories or create their own, integrating creative play and literacy (Yogman, 2023). This builds proficiency in language and also nurtures a relationship to storytelling as a way of communicating.

Movement Area

Recognizing the value of physical activity, a marked movement area would enable children to engage in gross motor play. The space would include floor mats for rolling, climbing structures, and open areas for both dancing and interactive movement exercises. Participation in activities such as obstacle courses or team sports will raise physical fitness and, at the same time, boost both social interaction and teamwork (Allee-Herndon & Roberts, 2021).

Balancing Play and Academics

As part of my strategy to prioritize play and integrate academic themes, I intend to show thematic units that harmonize Mississippi’s learning objectives with playful activities. Under the theme of ‘Community Helpers,’ the students can take part in role-playing to extend their grasp of professions and vocabulary and cultivate social insights. Additionally, arranging some time to talk about varied career routes might aid in seeing a relationship between play, literacy, and social studies, as Rodriguez et al. (2019) suggested.

In addition, I would allow the children to practice their math skills while they enjoy playful experiences. By way of example, counting during block play, organizing materials by color and size, and measuring ingredients when cooking are basic ways to associate academic studies with real-life experiences (Obijiofor et al., 2024). These approaches help keep kids interested and inspired as they grow key abilities. As well, the tactical integration of technology, including interactive tablets filled with games, may improve educational quality. These resources provide kids the chance to look at themes like counting, letters, or solving problems in a joyful environment.

In order to have children ready for educational accomplishment, with creativity, social-emotional skills, and a vital enthusiasm for learning, I would build a classroom culture that underscores the value of play. This approach to early childhood education, which includes all children, understands that play is not only a diversion from learning but a fundamental part of young children’s understanding of their world and the growth of important skills needed for their future.

Question 2: References

Articles

Allee-Herndon, K. A., & Roberts, S. K. (2021). The power of purposeful play in primary grades: Adjusting pedagogy for children’s needs and academic gains. Journal of Education, 201(1), 54-63. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022057420903272

Heyi, Z. H. A. N. G. (2020). Play in childhood: Introduction to the special issue. Beijing International Review of Education, 2(2), 176-181. https://brill.com/view/journals/bire/2/2/article-p176_176.xml

Obijiofor, E. O., Onyenwe, C. Y., Nwaubani, H. U., & Ugwele, N. A. (2024). Exploring the impact of play-based curriculum on cognitive and social development in early childhood: implementation strategies and outcomes in Anambra State.

Oo, M., Anderson-Badbade, S., Grzejszczak, L., Rogers, P., & Tavernier, R. L. E. (2024). A preliminary study of prescription for play on developmental concerns. Clinical Pediatrics, 00099228241258846. https://doi.org/10.1177/00099228241258846

Parker, R., Thomsen, B. S., & Berry, A. (2022, February). Learning through play at school–A framework for policy and practice. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 7, p. 751801). Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.751801

Pereira, J. V., Vila-Nova, F., Veiga, G., Lopes, F., & Cordovil, R. (2024). Associations between outdoor play features and children’s behavior and health: A systematic review. Health & Place, 87, 103235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103235

Rodriguez-Ayllon, M., Cadenas-Sánchez, C., Estévez-López, F., Muñoz, N. E., Mora-Gonzalez, J., Migueles, J. H., Molina-García, P., Henriksson, H., Mena-Molina, A., Martínez-Vizcaíno, V., Catena, A., Löf, M., Erickson, K. I., Lubans, D. R., Ortega, F. B., & Esteban-Cornejo, I. (2019). Role of physical activity and sedentary behavior in the mental health of preschoolers, children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 49(9), 1383–1410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01099-5

Yogman, M. (2023). The power of play: How fun and games help children thrive. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/power-of-play/Pages/the-power-of-play-how-fun-and-games-help-children-thrive.aspx

Zosh, J. M., Hopkins, E. J., Jensen, H., Liu, C., Neale, D., Hirsh-Pasek, K., Solis, S. L., & Whitebread, D. (2017). Learning through play: A review of the evidence. The LEGO Foundation, DK.

Videos

Eppard, J. (2020, January 3). The importance of play in early childhood education [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkSRPR8u9Ac

FirstCry Parenting. (2022, September 29). Importance of play in child development (Plus tips to encourage it) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T93skw1bPg

UNICEF South Africa. (2019, January 30). The power of play [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3No2_ObHLY

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Module 6 – Chapters 7 & 8 – Discussion Board – Play

Book:

• Yuzu Reader: Guiding Children’s Social Development and Learning: Theory and Skills

 

Wright, M. (2021, August 9). How every child can thrive by five [Video]. TED.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aISXCw0Pi94Links to an external site.

Discussion Board Post Assignment:

Question 1: In your dream early childhood classroom, imagine you are teaching Preschool (ages 3-4).

How would you set up your classroom environment to encourage play? Think about areas, materials, and center design that would inspire children to explore and engage in play. Knowing that young children learn best through play experiences, how would you balance introducing academic concepts while still prioritizing play? Consider strategies that integrate Mississippi learning objectives into playful activities. (Minimum response: 250 words)

Question 2: Often, parents, community members, or even your director or principal may not fully understand the importance of play in early childhood education.

Find five high-quality articles that explain why children need to play to learn during the early years. In addition, find three high-quality videos that introduce the play (less than 10 minutes, similar to the TED talk provided as an example.) These should be credible resources you can share with parents, post online, or present to your principal. Make sure to cite each article in APA format with the link so we can all utilize your findings.

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After posting your original response, read other postings and post a response to at least three classmates using the following ABC Approach.

Discussion Response Guidelines

• Acknowledge your classmates’ posts.
• Build upon these posts by providing additional details, ideas, and perspectives. YOUR REQUIRED THREE RESPONSES SHOULD BE A MINIMUM OF 150 WORDS EACH and respond to their dream classroom setup and the articles selected.
• Conclude with a question or new idea to further stimulate the discussion.

Discussion posts should always be thoughtful, meaningful, and courteous.