Early childhood educators don’t just sit back and supervise your child while they’re playing throughout the day. Instead, they play a number of different roles that aim to support children as they play and enrich their play experiences.
Play provides a range of opportunities for children to learn and develop. With this in mind, let’s look at how educators help enhance children’s play experiences while in childcare.
Importance of play in early childhood
The concept of play plays a crucial role in children's development. It provides the foundation for cognitive, physical, social and emotional development. Not to mention, it makes learning fun and engaging for young minds.
Through play, children have the opportunity to explore, use their imagination and put their decision-making skills to the test. Active play promotes physical health by improving coordination, balance and fine and gross motor skills. Children learn to interact with others, share, negotiate and resolve conflicts while developing empathy and cooperation.
Play also stimulates brain development and helps children understand the world around them. It encourages problem-solving, critical thinking and creativity. Through play, children can express and better understand their emotions. Plus, it also provides opportunities for children to take risks, make decisions and gain a sense of accomplishment, which builds self-esteem and confidence.
Ultimately, children are able to learn through play, so it’s no surprise that educators often play an active role in encouraging children to engage in play-based learning while in childcare.
Learning through play
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) is a guide for early childhood educators to support and enhance young children's learning. Learning through play is a fundamental principle of the EYLF, emphasising that play is essential for children’s development and learning.
According to the EYLF, learning through play takes a holistic approach to children’s development, encompassing physical, cognitive, social and emotional skills. It promotes active learning and provides opportunities for hands-on experiences where children can explore, experiment and discover.
Child-led play allows children to make choices, take risks and develop independence. It fosters a sense of control and ownership over their learning. It also provides a context for children to build relationships with peers and adults by encouraging communication, negotiation and collaboration.
The EYLF outlines five key learning outcomes that are closely tied to play:
- Children have a strong sense of identity: Through play, children explore their own identity and develop a sense of self. Role-playing and imaginative play help children understand different aspects of themselves and others.
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world: Play allows children to explore their environment, learn about their community and develop an understanding of their place in the world. It fosters a sense of belonging and connectedness.
- Children have a strong sense of well-being: Physical play promotes health and well-being, while social play helps children develop resilience and emotional regulation. Play also provides a sense of joy and satisfaction.
- Children are confident and involved learners: Through play, children develop curiosity, persistence and problem-solving skills. They learn to take initiative, make decisions and engage in sustained, meaningful activities.
- Children are effective communicators: Play enhances language development and communication skills. Through storytelling, pretend play and interactive games, children learn to express themselves, understand others and develop literacy skills.
The role of educators in learning through play
When it comes to the principle of learning through play (EYLF), early childhood educators take on several roles in play with children while using a range of strategies to support their learning. Rather than simply supervising children while they play in childcare settings, early childhood educators are responsible for actively supporting and enriching the children's play experiences while they’re in their care.
Here are some ways educators encourage children to play and learn in childcare.
Creating play-rich environments
Educators are responsible for designing and maintaining environments that are stimulating, safe and supportive of various types of play. They provide a range of materials and resources that encourage exploration and creativity.
They ensure that the play environment is safe and secure, minimising risks while allowing children the freedom to explore and experiment. As part of their role, educators must ensure play activities organised at childcare are inclusive and accessible to all children, including those with special needs. They adapt materials and approaches to meet each child's diverse abilities and interests.
Not to mention, play should also reflect and respect the diverse cultural backgrounds of the children, encouraging activities that celebrate different traditions and languages.
Observing and planning
Throughout the day, educators observe children’s play to understand their interests, strengths and developmental needs. They use these observations to plan and provide appropriate play experiences that support individual and group learning.
Educators integrate educational concepts into play activities, making learning a natural and enjoyable part of play. This might include incorporating literacy, numeracy and scientific thinking into playful scenarios.
Through play, educators provide support to help children reach higher levels of understanding and skill development. This might involve demonstrating new ways to use materials, introducing new vocabulary or helping children make connections between play and real-life experiences.
Facilitating play
Educators engage with children during play, extending their thinking and learning by asking open-ended questions, introducing new concepts and encouraging deeper exploration.
Educators encourage positive interactions among children, teaching them to share, take turns, and collaborate. They help children navigate social challenges and build friendships. Play can also teach children how to regulate their emotions, so educators will often help children understand and manage their feelings by providing comfort and strategies for dealing with frustration or conflicts.
Balancing structure and freedom
While allowing children the freedom to lead their own play, educators provide structure and guidance to ensure their play experiences are meaningful and aligned with learning goals.
Educators are responsible for finding the right balance between guiding play to ensure developmental goals are met and allowing children the autonomy to lead their own play experiences.
Reflecting on practice
Educators continuously reflect on their practices and the play experiences they provide. They seek feedback, engage in professional development and collaborate with colleagues to improve the quality of play-based learning.
Educators frequently communicate with families about their child's play experiences, progress and interests. They share observations and insights that help parents understand their child's development. They encourage family involvement in play activities, both in the childcare setting and at home, providing ideas and resources for parents to support their child's play and learning.
Overall, the role of an early childhood educator in children's play is multifaceted and dynamic. It requires a blend of knowledge, creativity, empathy and professional skills to create meaningful and enriching play experiences for young children.
