Q:  Why are the students "playing" in school?

A:  When asked what they did at school, young children often reply, "Play."  Many school activities may look like play, especially in early childhood classrooms.  Why do we let them "play"?  Well, young children learn by doing.  Through play, they refine their skills and understanding of the world around them.  And the younger the children, the more they need those direct, sensory experiences to support learning.  We carefully plan and guide activities to help our students get the most from their time at school, using both large and small group activities.

     When students play with puppets, hear stories and sing songs, they are studying language arts.  Finger plays, counting or sorting objects, using puzzles or blocks, and measuring are all math lessons.  Gardens, water and sand tables, play dough and cooking centers are all mini science labs that teach biology, physics and chemistry concepts.  Blocks are engineering tools.  Dramatic play, calendar activities, field trips, learning the Pledge of Allegiance are history and social studies lessons. And when they do all of these with other children, they practice critical social skills.

     If parents asked their children, "What did you do today?" and the children answered, "Mostly language arts, engineering and physics in the morning, with some biology, history and art later on," this might all be clearer.  But now, when they answer, "Play," you'll know exactly what they mean!