Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Kindergarten, Playing, Imagination and a Growth Mindset

THE KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM


The kindergarten is a program that supports students' learning and development over a period of two years. The major issue with this program is the fact that it is play based. "Play based learning is a type of early childhood education based on child-led and open-ended play"(Vogel, 2021). If you can picture a classroom set up with a variety of activities and learning stations based on student interests then you are on the right track. Believe it or not, play-based learning helps children develop social skills, motivation to learn, and even language and numeracy skills as they foster their curiosity of the world around them.


By matching the numbers students are practicing number recognitions, enhancing their cognitive skills, sequencing as well as their pincer grasp which is needed to enhance future writing skills. 


IMAGINATION


Children develop socially and emotionally through play as they imagine the world from a different perspective. They will in turn understand the differences between themselves and others as well as to learn how to interact with others as these are key skills needed for lifelong learners.


Fixed Mindset

Teachers today still struggle in implementing play based learning as well as many other successful learning strategies as they are set in their own teaching styles and refuse to meet the students where they are. The change starts today and it begins with us as future educators.


Reference: Vogel, M. (2021). What is play-based learning? | Wonderschool Resources Hub. Wonderschool Resources Hub. Retrieved from, https://www.wonderschool.com/p/parent-resources/what-is-play-based-learning/.


Courtesy of Shanice @NU

No comments:

Post a Comment