Learning Through Play

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY - Beijing Play-based learning provides 'a context for learning through which children organise and make sense of their social worlds, as they engage actively with people, objects and representations' - Australia's Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Construction play Builds concentration as children focus on what part of a structure needs to be changed and rebuilt. Forces children to learn to take turns and share equipment when building up collaborative projects Arts and Crafts Painting allows children to use a new artistic medium, which helps them to explore their Dramatic Play imagination and intuition with new materials. By creating a fake persona and acting out new scenes and ideas, children are building literary and communicative skills that they might not usually use in their everyday life. Using props to engage in dramatic play allows children to further identify with their assigned role, as well as to learn about interacting with other characters and objects within that role. Music & Dance Health Dancing with partners helps children learn about matching movements to music, and coordinating with another person. Knowledge Ability Playing a music instrument helps children to use their senses to understand an object, by responding to what they hear and see. YCIS At Yew Chung Intemational School, children are encouraged to actively participate, investigate and experiment to find out about the world in which they live. Cognitive and creativity The development of cognitive skills, including dispositions for learning (such as curiosity and persistence), as well as memory, thinking, language and literacy skills, are strongly linked to play. Additionally, play nurtures creativity, imagination, strategies for problem solving and the expansion of a child's critical divergent thought process. Social Research shows that playing with others assists children in building positive relationships through understanding proper social skills. Children build empathy as they become more aware of their own and others' emotions, motivations and desires. Wellbeing Play helps children to express and work through emotions and experiences. By playing and making mistakes, children learn how to have a good sense of humour. By engaging in solo play, children learn that individual happiness can be created. Play produces a mix of endorphins that lifts spirits and distracts children from pain, fear, and other burdens. Make time for play Playing is one of the best (and most fun) ways for children to learn, so parents should be sure to include time for play in their child's schedule. Play can help foster learning at any age, which means playing with your child can actually help you learn new concepts and lessons. Schools should also develop an environment in which children can positively learn through play. Sponsored By YCIS China Qingdao USA A leading International YCIS School with campuses in Silicon Beijing China, Hong Kong and the USA. YCIS Valley Chongging Shanghai Hong Kong focuses on providing a balanced education that uses bilingual education in English and Chinese at the core of its curriculum. Beijing Shanghai www.ycis-bj.com www.ycis-sh.com E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (8610) 8583 3731 Phone: (8621) 6219 5910 ext 222