What is learning through play?

Play is an important part of a child’s early development. Playing helps young children’s brains to develop and for their language and communication skills to mature.

Simple games of peek-a-boo, shaking a rattle or singing a song are much more important than just a way to pass the time. They teach young children about communication, develop their motor skills and help with problem-solving.

Something as easy as stacking and knocking over blocks allows toddlers to discover math and science concepts, including shapes, gravity, balance and counting.

These early childhood games are vital to laying the foundations for formal education. In most cases early learning starts with parents or caregivers engaging with, playing with and responding to the child.

Why does it matter?

The first years of life shape a child’s future into adulthood. This is when the most significant brain development happens, particularly in the first two years of life. Lack of play and communication, known as “under-stimulation”, can have long-term negative consequences on a child’s learning and physical and mental health.

Roughly 80% of brain development is completed by age three and 90 % by age five. This means a child cannot wait for primary school for learning to begin.

These early childhood games are vital to laying the foundations for formal education.

What can we do as parents?

It’s important to recognize the crucial role that play has in early childhood development. Support for play must be built into our everyday activities in and around the house. For example, you can engage with your child while giving the child a bath, changing the diaper or while you are doing housework around the house. For example, simple household items such as cups and spoons can serve as toys, and you will be amazed how much joy, and play, your little one will extract out of the simplest household item.

At Oakfield Early Learning Centre in Dubai Marina, we have a full range of activities that we carry out throughout the day, which is play based, for all age groups.