Play based learning

Teachers from across the province were in summer school today. They were preparing for a new focus in the full day kindergarten curriculum. Come September play based learning will take over from the traditional teaching methods.

Jaclyn Mitchell is learning to play — so she can teach her students how to play to learn: “It really allows us to meet kids where they are at — and move forward. Instead of the teacher kind of being at the front of the room directing how the learning will go and the different opportunities the kids really become co-teachers.

And Mitchell will have some help. Each classroom will have an education team made up of a teacher and a designated early childhood educator. One focuses on the learning skills, the other on the playing skills.

Monique Larocque is a designated early childhood educator: “Play is embedded in everything they do. And from that play, they’re doing math, they’re doing literacy, they are doing science, they are using inquiry skills.”

The premise behind play based learning is that kids get to do what kids do best — play while learning. Teachers in the program use things like ice cube trays to teach kids how to count using shells. One, two, three, four — or buttons. Things you find in the everyday world. They also use things that are less traditional that might have been thrown away. Something like this. Coming from an industrial complex, they use it to create art. This teaches the kids symmetry.

Experts say play based learning works. But it’s got to be done right.

Janette Pelletier, Professor – Jackman Institute for Child Studies: “We know that play fosters children’s language development. And it fosters self regulation when involved in complex socio-dramatic play, high quality play. It’s not just let the kids play, it’s play with a purpose.”

But some research has shown that the benefits are lost when kids hit grade one. So the Elementary Teachers Federation are trying to change that.

Andrea Bolton is a Elementary Teachers Federation educator: “We are working very closely with our grade one colleagues and opening up their thinking as to the possibility of play as learning and we are introducing new concepts such as play first documenting your thinking after.”

About 50 teachers were in the three day workshop. Most teachers are embracing the new play based models but for some it’s a difficult transition. So in that case it can be gradually introduced.