I’ve went to enough trainings and classes to understand the value of play based learning and open ended art. I just can’t get fully behind it even with all of the research.
I do everything on this list to a point. Play is the majority of our day here and I love giving the kids new experiences and tools to explore with. But I can’t do without the structure of a circle time and activity time. We do calendars, not so much for the concept of time but because we are counting, counting down days to special events, using patterns. We sing our songs, read a book and I try to incorporate a game where they are physically and actively involved. I occasionally do worksheets. And some crafty type art where they have to actively listen to directions and wait patiently for the next. Using fine motor skills to use their pencils, scissors and glue. We also do name tracing (eek)
I do use a letter of the week and every few weeks in we have a review week. So far the children’s recall has always been impressive. I guess I’m just stuck in my ways, but it always seems to work. My biggest focus is self help skills. Social skills and learning to behave in a classroom anything else they learn along the way is a bonus. But I always feel confident that my daycare kids are happy and well rounded and will fully be prepared to go to kindergarten.
I am truly interested though in observing a classroom that successfully meets all the points in this article and where children are coming away learning and the classroom runs smoothly with limited chaos by playing all day. Because for me children strive off of routine and structure.
I would love to hear others thoughts on this article, and if you avoid all of these points how to you provide a classroom or daycare that provides for structure, teaches children and also teaches them to follow rules and directions and doesn’t just seem like complete chaos. As for me, I guess I’m old school because I just can’t 100% get behind play based learning.
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