The Role of Play in Early Childhood Education.
The Educator’s Role in Play While play may look spontaneous, effective educators know how to observe closely and support children’s development within these moments. They ask open-ended questions, introduce new vocabulary, model social behaviour, and scaffold new challenges to deepen learning. This type of guided play allows children to stay in the driver’s seat while still being gently supported toward new discoveries. Why Play Matters More Than Ever In an age where structured academics are sometimes pushed earlier and earlier, protecting time for play is essential. Research consistently shows that play enhances children’s executive function — including self-regulation, focus, and flexibility — all of which are foundational for future learning success. Play also fosters a sense of independence, imagination, and confidence. It allows children to express their ideas, test new roles, and learn from mistakes in a safe and supportive environment. These are not “extra” skills — they are at the heart of what it means to be a capable, adaptable learner. A Balanced Early Education The best early learning environments create a balance: combining play-based exploration with developmentally appropriate exposure to early literacy and numeracy. In these settings, children are encouraged to wonder, create, move,
In the world of early childhood education, play is far more than just a way to pass the time — it’s a powerful tool for learning. When children engage in play, they’re doing the deep work of development: exploring ideas, testing boundaries, and learning how to connect with others and the world around them. Across educational settings, the value of play is widely acknowledged by teachers and child development experts. Whether it’s building with blocks, engaging in imaginative role play, creating art, or navigating social games, children are actively developing key cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills — all through play. How Children Learn Through Play When children play, they learn to solve problems, collaborate with others, manage emotions, and express ideas. In a block area, they explore spatial awareness and basic engineering concepts. In a pretend kitchen or dress-up space, they develop narrative thinking and social understanding. Outdoors, physical play supports motor development, risk-taking, and resilience. Play also nurtures early literacy and numeracy. Children begin to experiment with language through storytelling and conversation. They start to understand number concepts while counting, sorting, and measuring during activities. Most importantly, this learning happens in a way that feels natural and joyful — because it’s driven by the child’s own curiosity.
and collaborate — all of which contribute to a well-rounded foundation for the years ahead. For families exploring preschool or kindergarten options, it’s important to
look for classrooms where play is seen as meaningful work, not a reward for sitting still. When children are given the time, space, and freedom to play, they flourish — and so does their learning.
6 | New York Loves Kids | School Guide 2025/2026
New York Loves Kids | School Guide 2025/2026 | 7
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