34th Annual Student Research Conference
The Impact of Play-Based Learning on Early Childhood Development
Paige C. Sanders
Dr. Katrina Schmerold and Dr. Bridget Thomas, Faculty Mentors
Play is essential for learning in early childhood development. Psychologists, like Piaget and Vygotsky, have studied learning and child development to demonstrate how play can be a factor. Unfortunately, play is slowly being removed from preschools and replaced with standardized test preparation because some people do not equate play with learning. People are concerned that play is a waste of time, and that students will not be prepared for Kindergarten. With play-based learning, play becomes the primary component of instruction as teachers actively structure responsive and engaging activities that guide students' learning. Instead of direct instruction, teachers use the flexibility of play to support this natural instinct in children. Play-based learning can be influential in teaching academic subjects to preschoolers, while also developing their cognitive, emotional and social skills. This research aims to explain the benefits of implementing a play-based curriculum in preschools, where play is most favorable for learning.
Keywords: Play, Play-Based Learning, Early Childhood
Topic(s):Interdisciplinary Studies
Education
Psychology
Presentation Type: Asynchronous Virtual Oral Presentation
Session: 13-2
Location: https://flipgrid.com/d0254fde
Time: 0:00