Play-Based Education offers children the opportunity to engage in hands-on, meaningful experiences within their environment. Areas of learning include but are not limited to literacy, mathematics, science, physical fitness, social and emotional development. Children gain a sense of stewardship for their environment while developing an intrinsic love for lifelong learning. Students participating in play-based education are more flexible, independent and physically fit.
A large component of play-based education includes developmentally appropriate risk taking. Healthy risk taking helps to build confidence and character in children. It provides the opportunity to experiment with their own physical, emotional and cognitive abilities which allows them to practice, master, and challenge themselves according to their own stages of development. Autonomously, they discover their personal boundaries and areas of interests which leads to educated decision making, problem solving, and intrinsic feelings of accomplishment. Children who engage in risk taking become resilient to injury, fear, and adapt to new situations more easily.
Examples:
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- Tree climbing
- Eye, hand, foot coordination
- Problem solving: strong branches vs. weak branches, best reachable move
- Practicing safety: both hands attached to tree, feeling safe
- Progressive skill building: climbing low heights, moving up as you feel more comfortable
- Cognitive functions: descent strategies–using climbing steps in reverse
- Balancing off the ground: logs, stumps, etc.
- Eye, foot coordination
- Balance
- Practice with short heights
- Jumping from appropriate heights
- Balance
- Bracing Falls/Feet Landings
- Resilience
- Exploring “on their own”/ “Getting lost” (giving children space to explore within eyesight/silent check-ins)
- Sense of autonomy
- Creative thinking without influence of adult
- Joy of freedom and wonder
- Big body tumble play/wrestling (with adult guidance)
- Body awareness
- Self-control
- Giving and receiving consent
- Listening to and respecting boundaries for self and others
- Stance and balance
- Fulfill the human’s natural instinct and need for tumbling
- Resilience
- Manipulating real tools with adult supervision
- Practice a new skill
- Foster their interest in adult activities
- Independence
- Fine motor development
- Tree climbing
To learn more about the importance of a play-based curriculum and healthy risk taking, read further to the informative articles below.
Resources on Play-Based Education:
Unstructured play is critical for kids + their brain development—so set them free?
“Wild Play: Parenting Adventures in the Great Outdoors” by David Sobel
Resources on Risky Play:
Risky Play
Risky Play and Skinned Knees are Key to Healthy Child Development
Little Cubs Preschool 