How long has play-based learning been around?

Play has always been a significant part of human life at all ages and cultures throughout history, but play-based learning gathered momentum in the 20th century through the early work of Montessori and Dewey.

Where did play-based learning originate?

A major influencer was Friedrich Froebel (1782 – 1852), who believed that children learn through play. He designed teacher training where he emphasized the importance of observation and developing programs and activities based on the child's skill level and readiness.

Who invented play-based learning?

Pioneering educator, Friedrich Froebel (1782 - 1852) recognised the importance of play when he opened the first kindergarten in 1836 for children under the age of 7. Froebel believed that play is the principle means of learning in early childhood.

Who is the founder of play-based learning?

1782-1852 - Friedrich Froebel

According to Froebel, “Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child's soul.” Simply put, he believed play was absolutely vital in the learning process, especially for young children.

What current research says about play-based learning?

New research shows play-based learning can be more effective than direct instruction at improving outcomes for early learners—particularly in the development of mathematical and spatial skills.

How to get into Play-Based Learning: Part 1 - What is Play?

What are the disadvantages of play-based learning?

One of the main disadvantages of play based learning is the lack of structure. It is often child-led, which means that children are free to explore and play. It may sometimes make it difficult to track progress and prepare children for future education.

How effective is play-based learning?

Play-based learning is relatively common in preschool settings and has been linked to the development of 21st century learning skills—including collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation, and confidence¹—as well as social and emotional development,² language development,³ and math ...

What is another name for play-based learning?

Play-based programs are also sometimes called 'child-centered' because the children guide their own learning with their curiosity and interests. Meanwhile, academic programs are teacher-led and meant to prepare children for kindergarten.

What curriculum is play-based?

In a play-based or child-centered preschool program, children are able to choose activities based on the current interests. Learning activities such as creative arts, literacy, numeracy, social studies, science, etc. are presented to children through play.

Is play-based learning a curriculum?

Children who have experienced a play-based curriculum have a positive disposition for learning and have advanced social-emotional skills. They are also confident, curious, and problem-solvers. They have all skills necessary to be ready to learn and take on new challenges that come with starting kindergarten.

What theory is play-based learning?

Learning Through Play Theorists

Piaget's main theory was that play should encourage further psychological development as children mature. Playing outside can incorporate all areas of learning and help kids to become more aware of their environment.

Which theorist is play-based learning?

A Deeper Look: Play-Based Learning Theorists

Popular theorists include Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, Friedrich Fröbel and Maria Montessori, each offering differing perspectives on play's relationship with cognitive growth.

What theorists believe in play-based learning?

There are three theorists who are especially important to our understanding of play – Jean Piaget, Mildred Parten, and Lev Vygotsky. They describe play in different ways, but each one is useful for understanding the play behaviour you see in your classroom.

What are the main barriers to play-based learning?

Is the Montessori approach play-based?

While the Montessori style of school incorporates many elements of play-based learning, it's not entirely correct to assume that they are one in the same. In fact, there's glaring differences between the two that are important to know if you are deciding between the two.

Is play-based learning a philosophy?

Play-based learning is an educational philosophy of early childhood and primary schooling featuring an emphasis on having young minds make sense of the world around them through play. So rather than lecture or hit the formal books, it's much more effective for these young kids to … well, have fun.

What is Montessori vs play based?

Montessori is the reverse: highly structured in space and loosely structured in time. If you know where children are in the room, you know what they're doing, but the time is free. In play-based child care, teachers tend to swing between letting the children play and doing teaching activities.”

What is the difference between play and play-based learning?

Play based learning is for a purpose, whereas free play is more of an outlet of fun for a child. While both can offer learning opportunities, a play based classroom is more structured in priming children for future academics.

Is play based a teaching strategy?

Yes. Children that learn in a play-based environment have strong collaboration, communication and critical thinking skills as well as meaningful connection to content, creative innovation and confidence. Play-based learning helps children develop social skills, language and numeracy skills.

What is the opposite of play-based learning?

“Academic preschools have teacher-led instruction and follow a curriculum. Whereas play-based preschools, it it often believed, allow the children to play freely, without guidance or instruction.

What does play-based learning teach?

Play-based learning is an educational approach where students are guided into learning through activities and play of their choice. This method enables the development of crucial academic foundations and social interaction skills, essential for their future scholastic success.

What is play as a learning strategy?

Play, of course, brings “fun” into learning, but its benefits also include increased emotional, intellectual, physical, and social development. Research also shows that students engaged in play are more successful academically.

What does play-based learning look like?

Children naturally learn through play by engaging in and making sense of their world. Guided play is self-chosen, enjoyable, and process-oriented. These opportunities are experiences that are child-directed and teacher-facilitated in which teachers take an active role as intentional planners, observers, and guides.

Is play-based learning an evidence based practice?

Research suggests that playful learning, especially adult-facilitated guided play in which the child retains agency during the activity, supports a breadth of skills that children need to achieve their goals inside and outside the classroom.

Do children learn faster through play?

The evidence keeps mounting that play is the best way for children to learn – and thrive. From our earliest days, play is how we relate to the world, and to each other. When children have plenty of opportunities to learn playfully, they do what they do best: pursue their natural curiosity.