The Learning Ladder A Reading and Writing Curriculum for Early Care and Education Teachers, Children and Families

The Role of Play

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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