Page 8 - LESSION 11.pmd

Play and Early Learning

Thus, play and the purpose of play are different from age to age. As per the
development of different skills, the nature of play may change.

Notes
INTEXT QUESTIONS 11.2
Fill in the blanks:

(a) Play with objects starts at ........................ age because children acquire eye-
hand coordination for grasping objects.
(b) The process of substituting one object for the other happens during the
............. ...........

(c) Play and purpose of play is different from……….to ………….

(d) 5-12 year old children understand rules and thus prefer games like
........................ and ....................... . .

11.5 SETTING UP AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE FOR
PLAY AND EARLY LEARNING
Till now, we have been discussing the importance of play in children’s learning.
Play also implies opportunities, materials and objects for children to engage,
participate and express. Environments be attractive and accessible, which will
compel children to engage and lead to play and learning. Absence of sensory
material and just empty spaces will not be rich in promoting play. Absence of
appeal and engagement will be obstacles and suppress children’s natural curiosity
and orientation for healthy learning aptitude.

If we understand children’s patterns of play we can provide an environment rich
in play. Arrangement of play materials and other equipment directly or indirectly
influences children’s activity and play behaviour. Open and spacious places allow
children free movement, whereas crowded and congested spaces create
restrictions for children’s movements.

It is important to organize play materials wisely such that children have easy
access to see materials and be able to make choices. Such processes facilitate
among children constructive and creative play. Presence of adults to interact or
sometimes show a trick helps to channelise the behaviour of children in a more
acceptable way. Mere display of play equipment on shelves may lead to frustration
and other undesirable or destructive behavior among children. A well organised
placement of things would avoid undesirable behavior and make children
happy, creative, constructive, imaginative and explorative.

How to design: Children are curious, exploratory and imaginative. They like to
touch, taste, smell, hear and see things for themselves. They are full of energy
and have a short attention span. So, they must be kept busy with interesting activities
such as playing games, listening to stories, drawing, painting, running, jumping,

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 23