The early years are a critical time for your child’s cognitive development, which is how their thinking and understanding of the world grows. This rapid development begins in the toddler years, with skills like problem-solving, memory, and attention blossoming.
At Cedar Crest Nursery school, we understand the importance of fostering cognitive development through play. Playtime isn’t just about fun (although that’s important too!), it’s a powerful tool for learning and growth!
The Power of Play:
- Free Play: Unstructured playtime allows children to explore their interests and practice learned skills in a self-directed way.
- Directed Play: Teachers create engaging environments that encourage children to develop specific cognitive skills.
Examples of Play-Based Learning:
- Imaginative Play: Pretend play like “house” or “shop” helps develop social skills, imagination, and language.
- Construction Play: Building with blocks refines spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and early maths skills.
- Sorting and Puzzles: These activities encourage problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Water Play: Experimenting with water builds a foundation for science concepts, language development, and maths skills.
- Storytelling and Reading: Engaging with stories strengthens vocabulary, comprehension, and sequencing skills.
Beyond Cognitive Benefits:
Play also promotes physical development through activities like climbing and outdoor play. In addition, threading beads and tearing/pasting activities enhance fine motor skills.
Our Approach:
Our experienced educators seamlessly integrate essential knowledge into playtime activities. For example, sorting toys might involve separating yellow objects during a focus on the colour yellow. For older children, we might introduce matching card games or dominoes to reinforce specific learning objectives.
The Takeaway:
Play is a cornerstone of early learning. When you see your child’s knowledge expanding, remember – they’ve likely been “playing hard” at nursery school! We provide a nurturing environment that fosters cognitive development, social skills, and a love for learning through engaging, play-based activities.