Play-based learning is described in education and psychology, a way how children can learn to create a sense of their surrounding world through play. Simply put, all the learning your child may be doing while he is playing can be termed play-based learning.

Despite the numerous meanings, it may have, depending upon an individual’ perception, generally speaking, play if anything that is pleasurable, meaningful and activity based. It's not just us who think your child should be involved in some playful activity.

The UN High Commission for Human Rights has also highlighted Play as being an important part of a child’s life and also deemed it alright every child should have. Recognising the importance of play for children, most schools have incorporated game into their teaching to create a play based learning methodology for students.

UK curriculum schools in Dubai also implement play-based learning for their children in an attempt to enhance learning in children from the early years.

Here are five ways your child is learning when they’re playing around in the classroom:

Brain development

Play based activities in the classroom provide children with an opportunity to develop naturally, their motor and language skills which can help with the enhancement of their cognitive skills. Not only are they involved in performing actions but they’re communicating with one another and listening to other kids too.

Social skills

In a closed environment, your child will be able to polish their social skills. Playing with their class fellows and friends helps them comprehend the importance of essential skills such as sharing, taking turns to get things done, Play-based learning also helps develop or enhance any leadership skills that your child may possess.

Communication

During specific class activities play allows children to communicate their ideas to their teachers and peers, in a non-threatening, friendly way since most children find it hard to express their actual feelings since they are shy. Play based activities can help them communicate what they're feeling.

Play provides a positive and safe enviroement for them to feel safe and free to be able to share what they feel and their thoughts and ideas.

Problem-solving

Using task-based activities, children can enhance their problem-solving activities, laying the foundation for problem-solving skills which will benefit them greatly throughout the years, academically and otherwise.

According to a study, humans tend to learn best when any of the following four pillars are present:

1. Individuals are actively involved in the learning environment
2. There is individual engagement
3. Meaning full information is being provided
4. learners have social interactions

Play-based learning provides students with the opportunity to engage actively and interact socially with the main motive of providing them something meaningful to learn!

Take away!

Play provides children with an opportunity to relax and have fun, but it's not all about fun! Children are learning quite a lot when they're busy playing in classrooms. Generally, the school environment is pretty stressful and may be tedious for kids, which is why a distraction from the mundane routine and incorporation of play into the routine may help children focus.

Kindergartens and early year education in the UK curriculum schools in Dubai focus on implementing play-based learning in an attempt to provide a fun environment for the children to get them ready for the tough years!

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