PLAY-BASED LEARNING:LEARNING AROUND THE CLASSROOM

Drew D. GerdesEarly Childhood DirectorMessiah Lutheran SchoolWeldon Spring, Missouri

LEA ConvocationMilwaukee, Wisconsin

October 2013

Think Back To Your Childhood…

What were some of your favorite play memories?

Was playing at home the same as playing at school?

Who did you play with?

What did you play with?

Definition Time:

On the card provided, write down YOUR OWN definition of what you

believe PLAY means.

Keep the card handy – we’ll look at it later!

Take A Moment…

PLAY!

Even adults need to play!

While you play – what are some things adults do to

“play” or “play with”?

Why Do You “Play” As An Adult?

Fun and entertaining Breath of fresh air!

Removes ourselves, even for just a bit, from the busyness of everyday life.

Restores our soul! Makes life seem innocent.

Any other thoughts of ideas?

PLAY!!!

THEN NOW

Unfortunately…

THEN NOW

Play was about discovery

Socialization Learning

Imagination Mind-expansion

Time management Self-regulation

Entertainment Supervision

Fast, Fun, Easy Money Quiet

Loud – (often what I call inappropriate play

) Media-based

Technology-based

The Truth Is…

As educators, we MUST be advocates for real, true, meaningful play.

Parents may not know what this type of play is – how can we help them learn?

We need to help children learn what this play is and how to execute it.

Children of today play differently than children of yesterday.

Play = Developmentally Appropriate Research!

All Learned Through Play!

A Brief Discussion…

What is something that you, AS AN

ADULT, have learned by actively doing?

Briefly discuss with those around you.

Sharing and thoughts…

Play Is…

Actually, there is no one definition of play,

but rather a set of characteristics.

What did you define play as?

Share with neighbors!

Play Characteristics

Pleasurable

Play is an enjoyable and pleasurable

activity.Play sometimes

includes frustrations, challenges and fears;however enjoyment is

a key feature.

Symbolic

Play is often pretend, it has a ‘what if?’

quality.

Play has meaning to the player that is

often not evident to the educator.

Play Characteristics

Active

Play requires action, either physical, verbal

or mental engagement with materials, people,

ideas or the environment.

Voluntary

Play is freely chosen.

However, players can also be invited or prompted to play.

Play Characteristics

Process oriented

Play is a means unto itself and players may

not have an end or goal in sight.

Self motivating

play is considered its own reward to the

player.“I did it! Come see!”

Environment

As educators and caregivers, we provide the best possible environment in which

children learn.

Think about the grocery store… Think about your home…

Children in our care need to learn specific areas and their purposes, too!

But…The Best Environment Is…

A natural one!BSO

Bright, Shiny Object

It’s bound to catch a child’s attention!

And it should!

The Classroom

No matter what ages we work with, there need to be specific areas that are designed for

specific purposes. This helps young minds learn about purpose and organization.

“This is the right way we…” “Here is how we…” “Watch how this…”

“Look at the way the…”

REMEMBER THESE PHRASES FOR LATER!!

Teachers Set The Stage…

The classroom environment is SO CRUCIAL for appropriate learning in an early

childhood classroom.

Classrooms set to be set up and managed so that teachers can “meander” about,

observing, asking, talking, directing, comforting, etc.

Teachers also model play!!!

Classroom Learning Centers

Sensory Area

Technology Area

Block Area

Puzzle Area

Dramatic Play Area

Sink Area

Reading Area

Writing Center

Art Center/Easel

Manipulative Area

Science Area

Bathroom

The Classroom

Much thought and time must be spent with setting up a developmentally appropriate,

play-based classroom.

Yes, it must look nice, but the “cuteness” factor wears off quickly.

Children don’t care about cute – they are care about use!

Real, True, Meaningful Play Is…

Hard Work!Time-consuming!

Tiring!Dirty!Fun!

Adventurous!

THE RIGHT THING TO DO!!!

Let’s Take A Look!

We’ll take a tour of any typical early childhood classroom.

What should we see in these Learning Centers?

What should be taught/learned in each Learning Center?

What can we do with/add to each Learning Center?

What Do Parents Know?

Again, do parents really know what types of play happens in our classrooms and early

childhood centers?

How can you help parents understand the real meaning and purpose of play?

How can you share information with prospective families?

Sensory Area

Sensory TableContents vary

Exercise imaginationConcepts of size,

shape, volume, etc.Use of tools

Warm, cool, dry, wet, heavy, lightSocial skills

Sharing with others

Technology Area

Be careful here!Children still need to physically manipulate

toys!Learning for tomorrow

Let them become familiar with everyday technological gadgets

Use as a tool to reinforce

Limit use as apporpriate

Block Area

Concepts of shape, size, location

Create and repeat patterns

Mathematical reasoningImagination

Express ideasCooperation

Problem-solvingOrderNature

Puzzle Area

Shape, position, fine motor development

Mathematical reasoningPositionReadingOrder

RoutinePurpose

Social skills

Dramatic Play

Social skillsSocial-living skills

ResiliencyLife-skills

Community knowledge

Order and purposeProblem-solving

ImaginationVocabulary!

Jesus Time Center

Yes! Really!

Jesus is the focus of our day. This

classroom center may be one of the only

ways a child can learn more about Jesus!

Touch – Learn – See – Do!

Bible Story Book ShelfToys

Cuddling Toys

Sink

HealthOrder

PurposeSocial skills

PatienceCleaning

Cause/EffectEngineering

Science skills

Reading Area

“Read” books and other materials

Develop and personal interest in reading

Use picture clues to predict stories and

meaningAlphabet knowledge

Curricular topicsSocial experiences

Writing Center Area

Fine Motor developmentSocial skills

Hand-eye coordinationCreativity

Alphabet knowledgeOrganization skills

Correlation between speech and writing

Self-expressionRepresentation

Art Area

Self expressionUse of materials in

different waysExperiment with color,

texture, shapeCommunication and

social skillsProblem-solving

Fine-motor developmentSense of

accomplishment and self-worth

Art Easel

According to me…

An easel must be available for all

children to use all day!

Motor developmentPosture

Extended thinking levels

Manipulative Area (Toys)

Grouping, sorting, matching – math skillsVisual discriminationProblem solving skills

EnjoymentEngineeringSocial skills

SharingPurpose

Creativity

Science Area

Exploration and experimentation

Thinking outside the box!!!

Problem solvingDiscovery and sharing

NatureMove from concrete to

abstract thinkingHigh-level thinking skills

Order

Bathroom

Just like the sink, it’s a Learning Area!

PatienceTurn-takingOur bodies

Health and SafetyLogic and Order

RoutinePurpose

Pre-reading skills

What Else?

What other Learning Centers and Areas might you have in your classroom?

What is the purpose of these special spaces?

Steal from one another!!!

Resource

Designs for Living and Learning

Deb Curtis and Margie Carter

Redleaf Press2003

Resource

Big Body Play: Why boisterous, vigorous,

and very physical play is essential to

children’s development and

learning

Frances M. Carlson

NAEYC Publication2011

Resource

Facebook!!!!

www.facebook.com/

Education EaseTeach PreschoolBrick by Brick

Creative Connections for Kids

Kreative Resources

Twitter!!!!

Just search for what you are looking for!

Follow those you like!

Amazing Professional Development opportunity!

Real, True, Meaningful Play…

Discussions…

Feel Free To Contact Me!

Drew D. GerdesEarly Childhood DirectorMessiah Lutheran School

Weldon Spring, MO

dgerdes@messiahnetwork.orgwww.messiahnetwork.org

www.facebook.com/educationeaseFollow me on Twitter @ddgerdes