Things Your Preschooler Learns While Playing Part 2by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger 14 Mar 2008 06:36 AM Are you concerned that your preschooler is too busy playing to learn anything? It seems to be a constant theme for homeschooling moms who want to see some measurable progress in their child. Well, do not worry, your child really is learning. In part 1 of things your preschooler learns while playing. I wrote about the importance of playing with Lego's and driving toy cars, among other things. Here is Part 2 of things your preschooler learns while playing. Playing with dolls: Roll playing with dolls can teach preschoolers many important life skills. The natural lesson for many children is to learn how to care for others. You can also purchase specialty dolls (or action figures for boys) that teaches your child to tie their shoes, button, and zip their clothing. Amazon.com has many dressing dolls to choose from. See n Say: I am sure you remember having a See 'n Say in your home. These classic toys are still around for a reason. They teach children to recognize animals and sounds. There are new versions that help preschoolers learn about music. A newer version, the See'n Say Elmo Busy Day teaches preschoolers about the times of day, and even tests them with a question mode. Sorting toys: There are many sorting games in the toy market. I remember having, and buying for my son the Tupperware shape sorter. You can also purchase something like the Shape N Color Coaster by Anatex. These toys teach important preschool skills like shapes, following directions, colors sorting, and matching. Wooden Puzzles: Wooden puzzles are very educational for preschoolers. It teaches hand eye coordination. It helps the child develop a logical mind. Also, depending on what puzzles you buy your kids, you can learn about any number of things such as states, numbers, animals, insects, and more. These are just a few of the classic games your homeschooler can play that will help them learn without every realizing it. In addition to these timeless toys and games, you will find there are also many toys, games, books, and electronics on the market that will further enrich your child's learning experience. *Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask. *Words a homeschooler Should Know Learn more about Andrea Hermitt  Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children. Relevanthomeschooling tags User Comments ctr_mama (5) 21 Nov 2008 06:15 PMThank you for pointing out that children LEARN through PLAY. I was quite distressed this week when a Kindergarten teacher told me one of my former preschoolers had good skills but kept asking to play. She said "we only get to have freeplay about every other Friday." WHAT? Perhaps there are more kindergarten kids to "up to par" because kindergarten has become like first grade and preschool is now expected to be like kindergarten was when we were kids. Until schools are able to teach the way children learn-which is individual for each human-there will be those kids not reaching their personal potential. Kudos to moms who learn their childs learning style and enable them to excell in the way they learn best. Here is a list I give to my preschoolers parents so they understand the value of play: I call play time "Learning Centers" Why Learning Centers? What children can learn from play. The descriptions of our learning centers only touch on the things that children are learning through play! Teachers are responsible for keeping the centers interesting, challenging, exciting and age appropriate and will plan activities for learning centers each day. By allowing the child to choose their area of "study" they are empowered by and invested in their learning. That is when teaching and learning is the most effective. Children learn best by being actively involved and hands on. Learning Centers "What are children learning from play?" Blocks and building... Is an open ended activity that provides a variety of learning opportunities. Building with blocks helps develop the following skills: Fine/Gross motor- muscular control and coordination, eye-hand coordination, and visual perception Social/Emotional-make choices, express feeling, cooperate with a group, respect materials Cognitive-problem solving, math, scientific and physical concepts, (such as gravity, inclines, bridging, physical properties) Art Exploration... Is an open ended and process oriented activity that provides many learning experiences for children. Art exploration helps develop the following skills: Creativity- a sense of aesthetics; expression of feelings, thoughts and opportunities to explore a variety of media and materials Social/Emotional- gives a sense of accomplishment, builds self confidence, positive self esteem and sense of ownership Cognitive -learns about physical properties, eye-hand coordination and fine motor development, awareness of colors and shapes, cause and effect. CIRCLE TIME... Is a chance for the teacher and children to share stories, thoughts, experiences, and togetherness as a class. The teacher usually reads stories, sings songs, and does finger plays, or gives the children a chance to share something about themselves or their home. Participating in circle time helps develop the following skills: Cognitive- taking turns, sharing, listening, learning new stories, songs, finger plays, expressing self, and helping to develop attention span Social- sharing with friends, communicating with peers in a more structured experience, and learning how to participate in a group Emotional-speaking in front of friends and adults, gaining confidence in themselves and promoting positive self-esteem Cooking projects... Provide children the opportunity to make foods that they like and to be involved with new ingredients and foods. Cooking experiences helps develop the following skills: Fine/Gross motor- eye-hand coordination develops through wrapping, pouring, mixing, slicing, peeling, scrubbing, dipping, juicing, cracking, and rolling. Emotional- gives a sense of accomplishment and pride in their product Cognitive-seeing how foods are prepared and how they mix, blend, pour, spread and slice. Experiencing new and healthy foods to add to their diets. DRAMATIC PLAY... Gives children the opportunity to be someone or something else. Exploring and playing in the drama center helps develop the following skills: Cognitive-choosing symbols to represent objects, language in role-play dialogue, self-exploration, negotiating roles with others Social/Emotional-resolve or re-enact frightening experiences, play out adult roles, pretend to be their hero, freedom to create their own world, an emotionally safe place to invite friends to play Fine/Gross motor-dressing and undressing, manipulating props, playing out imagined roles Creativity-creating scenarios, develop/decorate house LANGUAGE/WRITING... Throughout the program, vocabulary, comprehension, speaking, and writing skills are being developed. The language center provides children the ability to explore at their own pace. The language center helps develop the following skills: Cognitive- Organization of thoughts, seeing thoughts put into words, beginning writing, taking ownership of their work, learning letters and numbers Social/Emotional- dictating stories, expressing self through their creations or speaking Fine/Gross motor-cutting with scissors, writing, drawing, hole punching, stamping, and manipulating paper Creativity-creating stories, creating own stories and pictures MUSIC... Is a way for children to experience self expression, explore movement and develop listening skills. The music center helps develop the following skills: Cognitive- listening to similarities and differences in sounds, coordination of rhythm beats, following directions, learning appreciation of music Social/Emotional-playing together, expressing self in dance and with instruments, releasing feelings through playing instruments, dancing and moving Fine/Gross motor-coordination of playing instruments or moving to the directions or beat of the music, balance Creativity-self expression, trying new ways to use or create sounds, development of language and communication OUTDOORS... Gives children the freedom to do many of the same indoor activities in a more natural setting plus the environment that encourages and challenges gross motor skills. Outdoor play helps develop the following skills: Gross Motor- balance, muscle development, rhythm and coordination Social/Emotional- problem solving with peers, small and large group activities, cooperation, taking turns Cognitive-natural exploration (i.e. sand, insects, textures), problem solving with materials, negotiating with peers READING... Provides learning in a very enjoyable manner and encourages development of language and communication. The reading center helps develop the following skills: Emotional-reading about others with similar circumstances (i.e. new baby, moving, new school) gives child comfort, relating intimately with teacher, parent or friend. Cognitive-Listening, learning new words, ideas, facts, and experiences. Clarification of concepts, which leads to writing own stories, idea sequencing, and relating to adults SCIENCE... Is a great way to explore and learn about many materials in the environment. The science center helps develop the following skills: Cognitive- Cause and effect, change of properties, sequencing Social/Emotional- sense of accomplishment, pride, working with others, and excitement to learn and understand how nature works Fine/Gross motor-mixing, pouring and manipulating products Community Tags games, homeschool, preschool Discuss this article
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