Play-Centered Learning Environments

Play-Centered Learning Environments

Introduction

Van Hoorn et al. (2014) define play-based centers as zones set up within a class for purposes of play and learning. Each section will have play-based learning activities and materials that students will find fun and engaging. Therefore, a play-based learning environment encourages reading, thinking, talking, and writing, allowing them to experiment, explore, and solve issues imaginatively. As a result, teachers use play-based learning to allow learners to acquire and learn the necessary skills they require in a structured setting with the supervision and help of the teacher. This will help them develop a positive relationship because, within a play-based setting, children learn how to deal and cope with conflicts and socialize among themselves through play.

Learning Environment Design

I will create a welcoming and fun learning environment that incorporates various learning centers within the classroom. These learning centers and learning environments will allow learners to experience and engage in different activities that integrate fine motor, language, and problem-solving, among other vital skills for academic excellence. The learning environment I will design is for ages 3-5. Every child grows at their own pace, so I must give them the appropriate materials that promote their growth. A class has several activities encouraging affective, cognitive, physical, and social development. Therefore, learners must be free to explore their abilities to grow and learn from their peers and those around them. For my learning environment, I will ensure a carpet area where we gather every morning and sing as we welcome ourselves in class. We can also gather on the carpet for other class activities, especially storytelling time. I will also have a writing center where every learner can access journals. This will help improve their vocabulary and help them make correct sentences. I will also have the block and puzzle area to assist learners in developing their gross and fine motor skills. Larimore (2020) states that the physical aspect of development encompasses physical growth, fine motor skills, perceptual motor skills, and gross motor development. To effectively utilize their fine motor abilities, learners will play with the puzzles and blocks by taking them out of the tins and arranging them. At every learning center, every child will be allowed to mingle, interact, and play with their peers to help build their social skills.

Support of Developmental Domains

Play helps in supporting various developmental domains, such as cognitive, physical, emotional, and physical development. Van Hoorn et al. (2014) state that play improves children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. Children learn about themselves, the environment, and the world by playing. They also learn skills they require for work, study, and relationships, like confidence. Aiger (2017) states that the physical domain of development assists with gross motor skills and physical development. Even the brain’s physical development is encompassed in the physical domain. One of the activities appropriate for this domain is the art and craft center. Children often use different muscles like wrists, hands, and fingers during the art and crafts lessons. Frequently using these muscles will improve their finesses and strength, eventually making other tasks like writing or drawing much easier. The emotional domain is related to motivation, attitude, and feeling. The appropriate center that will enhance emotional growth is the writing center. This center will allow the learners to draw pictures and write or express their emotions. Finally, cognitive development entails developing and changing mental or intellectual abilities like reasoning, understanding, and thinking (Ardoin & Bowers, 2020). The math and creative centers would help develop cognitive skills.

Scheduling and Routine

Scheduling and routine within a classroom are times within the school timetable, like group time, meal time, bathroom time, and nap time. This routine helps to keep a structure within a classroom. In addition, it assists the learners in following instructions. Learners mostly experience routines when changing from one activity to another. Regarding the class environment, we will create ‘a yes environment’ to buffer learners from environmental stressors. This will be done by developing transition strategies, behavioral expectations, and predictable routines appropriate for the learner’s development. For instance, I could create a cozy corner in a class where learners can go when they feel overwhelmed or stressed. Horstmann (2022) states that recess allows learners to learn different social skills like turn-taking, planning, leading and following, and sharing. Recess is the only period within the day when kids have the freedom to interact with their age mates. Generally, during recess, learners teach each other several skills.

Cultural Considerations

Cultural considerations will be considered for the learning environment that will be created. As Vygotsky’s theory states, although youngsters are naturally born with language development skills, this language development is shaped and impacted by social and cultural practices (Van Hoorn et al., 2014). First, we will ensure all our materials, books, and toys are diverse to represent a wide range of cultures for all learners, which can be incorporated into the daily curriculum and play activities. We will also introduce songs with multicultural themes. Generally, every aspect of play will be tailored to embrace diverse cultures.

Inclusive Learning

An inclusive learning setting should be a place that makes learners feel safe, welcomed, loved, and supported intellectually, socially, and academically. Similarly, inclusive play means all kids/learners have the same access to decent and quality local play facilities. In our playing environment, we will ensure there is no partiality. All learners will be allowed to engage in play regardless of their disabilities, meaning we shall provide playing materials or play-based learning environments that are appropriate for both learners with disability and those without disabilities (Van Hoorn et al., 2014). This will encourage inclusivity and togetherness in class.

Conclusion

Play-based learning is essential for learners in preschool and Kindergarten. Through play, learners can learn and develop their various developmental domains, such as cognitive, physical, and emotional. This can be done in class by establishing various learning centers like writing, creative, art, and science centers. These centers will help learners develop writing, reading, problem-solving, and socialization skills. By engaging learners in various activities within these centers, learners learn to use their senses and various skills to engage in real conversations as they interact with their peers.

References

Aiger, A. (2017, June 13). Five Domains for Early Childhood Development. Retrieved July 31, 2017.

Ardoin, N. M., & Bowers, A. W. (2020). Early childhood environmental education: A systematic review of the research literature. Educational Research Review, 31, 100353.

Horstmann, K. (2022). Re-Integrating Play-Based Learning (PBL) Activities into the Primary Classroom.

Larimore, R. A. (2020). Pre-school science education: A vision for the future. Early Childhood Education Journal, 48(6), 703-714.

Van Hoorn, J. L., Monighan-Nourot, P., Scales, B., & Alward, K. R. (2014). Play is at the center of the curriculum. Boston: Pearson.

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Play-Centered Learning Environments
[WLOs: 3, 4] [CLOs: 1, 3, 4]

The learning environments we create for the children we are working with are as important at the curriculum we teach. In fact, “For a play curriculum to be effective, the teacher must orchestrate the dynamic flow of its elements by matching play to the child’s development level and providing opportunities for stretch and growth to occur for each child” (Hoorn, J., Scales, B., Nourot, P. & Alward, K., 2015, p. 80). As we look to set up learning environments that provide play-based opportunities for growth, careful planning and design is needed to ensure children continue to reach their full potential.

Play-Centered Learning Environments

Preparation:

Refer to the Week 2 Instructor Guidance for tips and examples that will support your success in this discussion.
Watch the above video, The Benefits of RecessLinks to an external site..
Read Chapter 4: Orchestrating Children’s Play: Setting the Stage in your text.
Watch the video Cultural Influences on Children’s Play. It links to an external site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igqQ7GrcinE A transcript links to an external site. of the video is available. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lANWHxKtfc
Review the ECD415 Exemplar Week 2. Download ECD415 Exemplar Week 2 from your online classroom.
In your paper,

Describe how you will create a play-based learning environment. (Make sure to include specific examples of how you will design your learning environment to support play.)
Explain how the learning environment you create will support the use of play across all developmental domains (i.e., physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language).
Examine the role that recess, routines, and schedules will play in your play-based learning environment.
Summarize how you will be mindful of cultural considerations when planning play-based learning.
Discuss how the play-based learning environment you create will be inclusive of all learners.
The Play-Centered Learning Environments paper

Must be three to four double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA StyleLinks to an external site.
Must include a separate title page with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
For further assistance with the formatting and the title page, refer to APA Formatting for Word 2013Links to an external site..
Must utilize academic voice. See the Academic Voice links to an external site. Resource for additional guidance.
Must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph. Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.
For assistance on writing Introductions & ConclusionsLinks to an external site. as well as Writing a Thesis StatementLinks to an external site., refer to the Writing Center resources.
Must use at least two scholarly sources in addition to the course text.
The Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible SourcesLinks to an external site. Table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment.
The BA ECDDI Research Guide links to an external site. Is a resource that has been developed to assist you in completing the library research required for this assignment. Click on the button titled ECD415 from the homepage of the research guide to gain access to additional resources that can support you with the development of your assignment.
Must document any information used from sources in APA style as outlined in the Writing Center’s Citing Within Your PaperLinks to an external site.
A separate references page must be included that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Writing Center. See the Formatting Your References ListLinks to an external site. Resource in the Writing Center for specifications.