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Play Based Learning at Spring Knolls, Silver Spring, MD
Play-based learning is at the core of our educational approach at Spring Knolls Cooperative Early Learning Center. Our teachers encourage children to learn through hands-on exploration, problem-solving, and engaging in purposeful play. We believe that play is a natural way for children to learn and develop essential life and academic skills.
In Spring Knolls classes, children are given the freedom to choose from a number of available activities and pursue their own interests. They can imagine, build, create, draw, interact with their peers, and engage with sensory experiences. Child-initiated play is our way of promoting intellectual and social-emotional development so children can understand the world around them.
For example, children may play strips of paper to learn about colors. They can choose acorns or pine cones to learn about trees and plants. Or they can use these materials to paint and create their own activity.
Social And Emotional Learning
Through play, children learn to develop and establish trusting relationships with their peers and teachers that can enhance their communication, literacy, decision making, creative and critical-thinking abilities. For example, children might play with images and books to relate to real life connections; they might play with building blocks or puzzles and learn to complete tasks; or they might engage in dramatic play and learn to cooperate, express themselves, and resolve conflict.
The role of Spring Knolls teachers is to facilitate and support children in their play. They contribute to developing secure relationships in order to create a safe and nurturing environment for the child. Teachers provide models of gentle behavior; by modeling positive and intentional interactions, they create a consistent nourishment for social and emotional development. They observe and interact with children, ask open-ended questions, and offer guidance when needed. They maintain an environment that is rich in materials and resources so that children have access to a variety of open-ended activities that stimulate creativity and expression.
Four preschool-aged children engaged in play-based learning with blocks and tools in a Spring Knolls classroom
Children play and learn about the parts of the body at Spring Knolls, Silver Spring MD
A child paints an images independently during an activity at Spring Knolls, Silver Spring MD
Four preschool-aged children engaged in play-based learning with blocks and tools in a Spring Knolls classroom
At Spring Knolls, we embrace play as an appropriate and effective approach to early education, fostering the growth and development of each child in a nurturing and engaging environment.
Learn about our cooperative approach and enrollment process or contact us for more information.
Play-Based FAQs
What is play-based learning?
Play-based learning is an educational approach that emphasizes the use of play as a valuable learning tool for preschool children. It recognizes that children naturally engage in play and that play offers numerous learning opportunities. In play-based learning, children take an active role in their own education by initiating experiences that help them learn problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration, and to develop independence and self-assurance.
What are some examples of play-based learning activities?
Play-based learning activities can include any number of diverse play activities that foster learning and creativity, so long as they are open-ended and child-led.
For example:
•Science experiments to learn how volcanoes work by using organic materials like carved pumpkins, baking soda and vinegar for children to engage in hands-on reactions.
•Construction to learn about engineering and math concepts like measuring and counting by using cardblock blocks to build from bridges to high towers and anything in between.
•Creative expression to learn about feelings and meaningful peer interactions by using puppets, acting and singing.
•Sensory play to learn about senses and self regulation by using textured materials like water, sand, shaving cream or playdough to provide real life tactile experiences. Often, sensory exploration serves as a calming tool during overstimulating times.
What are the advantages of play-based learning?
Play-based learning helps promote cognitive, physical, social and emotional development through something children naturally love — play. Because they occur naturally as a child pursues her/his own interests, play-based learning experiences can be more memorable and meaningful to children with a higher chance of being retained and applied in real life situations.
How does play-based learning differ from traditional learning?
Play-based learning takes a child-centered approach where teachers focus on the child’s interest, needs, and developmental stage without curriculum or predetermined content. By initiating their own play, children experiment, discover, and explore, taking an active rather than passive role in their learning. Play-based preschools take a holistic approach to assess a child’s progress typically without relying on formal assessments. Play-based learning also emphasizes social interaction, collaboration, and the sharing of knowledge over individualistic work.
What is the difference between play-based learning and Montessori?
Play-based learning and Montessori are both educational approaches that emphasize child-led learning and learning through activity. Play-based learning generally prioritizes the importance of play in children's development by embracing play as a natural and valuable tool for children to explore, discover, and learn. The Montessori method is based on the philosophy of the Italian educator Maria Montessori and prioritizes independent work with specific learning materials and activities in a mixed-age setting.
What type of child thrives in play-based learning?
Virtually any child can thrive in a play-based preschool environment as it caters to a child’s natural curiosity and love of play. The approach is designed to benefit a wide range of children and their individual strengths and needs. At Spring Knolls, we value cultural, racial, neuro, and socioeconomic diversity. We support children from a variety of backgrounds that contribute to a rich community of diverse perspectives and experiences.
What does a play-based learning classroom look like?
A play-based preschool classroom is designed to be a rich, flexible, and engaging environment with varied child-accessible materials such as science and building materials, pretend household and work objects, art and drama supplies, books, sand and water materials, foam letters and numbers, sensory objects, and tables and chairs. The classroom is organized into 5 core learning centers: Dramatic Center, Literacy Center, Science-Math Center, Sensory Play Center, and Art Center. Each center is equipped with the materials, tools, and resources to foster imagination and hands-on experiences.
What does a play-based learning classroom look like?
A play-based preschool classroom is designed to be a rich, flexible, and engaging environment with varied child-accessible materials such as science and building materials, pretend household and work objects, art and drama supplies, books, sand and water materials, foam letters and numbers, sensory objects, and tables and chairs. The classroom is organized into 5 core learning centers: Dramatic Center, Literacy Center, Science-Math Center, Sensory Play Center, and Art Center. Each center is equipped with the materials, tools, and resources to foster imagination and hands-on experiences.
Can I incorporate play-based learning at home?
Yes, you can definitely incorporate play-based learning at home as a child’s play-based learning does not stop when he leaves preschool. You can help incorporate play-based learning into your home by setting up open-ended play spaces, following your child’s interest, imagining and pretending with your child, providing sensory experiences such as sand and water, and allowing time for outdoor exploration.
What is the role of the teacher in play-based learning?
The role of the teacher in play-based learning is to facilitate and support children in their play by providing resources and materials that support their exploration and learning, observing and assessing their holistic progress and individual needs, asking open-ended questions to extend their thinking, and building positive relationships for a safe and inclusive environment. Through open ended play teachers are able to meet each child in their individual stage of development.
How will play-based learning help prepare my child for kindergarten?
Play-based learning can help prepare a child for kindergarten by providing ample opportunities for children to engage in social interactions, encouraging language usage and building early literacy and math skills, promoting curiosity and critical-thinking, fostering independence and self-assurance, and helping children adapt to routine and structure in an educational setting. Play-based learning includes structured routines like; circle time, small group activities, teacher guided projects, outdoor play, snack, etc. that help prepare children for the transitions they'll be expected to make in kindergarten.
Does the play-based approach support social and emotional learning?
The play-based approach strongly supports social and emotional learning in children by providing opportunities for children to engage with one another, collaborate, and enhance their decision-making, social awareness, and self-management.
For more:
Ljubetic, M., Maglica, T., & Vukadin, Ž. (2019, November 30). Social and emotional learning and play in early years. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED608409