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The Learning Ladder

Home A Reading and Writing Curriculum for Early Care and Education Teachers, Children and Families

Module 2: The Role of Play
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The Role of Play

Child playing with legos Preschool classrooms provide opportunities for children to play, explore their worlds, and practice concepts.

Below you will find a description of some of the choices children have for play in a preschool classroom, and a list of the concepts and skills they are mastering through play.

When a child is playing with play dough, he/she is:

  • using creativity and imagination
  • improving fine motor skill
  • developing the sense of touch

When a child is playing with sand or water, he/she is:

  • learning about pouring, measuring, comparing
  • feeling relaxed, safe and comfortable
  • improving sensory awareness

When a child is painting, he/she is:

  • practicing eye/hand coordination
  • learning about colors
  • learning to make choices and decisions

When a child is dressing up and pretending to cook in the housekeeping area, he/she is:

  • learning to understand the roles of mothers and fathers
  • practicing math and language skills
  • organizing and using ideas

When a child is building with blocks, he/she is:

  • learning about sizes, shapes, weights, patterns and balance
  • learning about height, width, depth and length
  • learning to cooperate, share, plan and negotiate with other children
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