The early childhood field provides many avenues for individuals to make a difference in a child’s life. The task of early childhood educators is for individuals in the field to focus on the development of the whole child. They have to understand and recognize the importance of the developmental years in a child’s life. I believe that when play is incorporated into the classroom the children will grow and develop at their own pace. When engaging in play based activities, “children may seem to be momentarily awestruck in their search for meanings, but soon they will approach adults with questions or comments” (Machado, 2007, p. 214). Therefore, early childhood educators have to recognize the importance of a play based environment for young children. Furthermore, a lack of play based activities has the potential to create major issues for children.
Children emulate their environment and seek approval from the adults in their lives. A well constructed program provides a learning environment for young children. It is through play that young children begin to expand their cognitive skills. When early childhood programs decide not to provide children with opportunities for play they are depriving the children from: their natural experiences and hindering their growth and development. “A child who fails to develop play ability may either be tied to the concrete which implies that everything is real or withdraw to a pretend world that has no link to reality”(Hart, 2011, p. 95). Children grow and develop through play that is developmentally appropriate. The desire to learn and grow is very important for children. Proper play within an early childhood program can be achieved through hands-on activities. Teachers implement the hands-on approach for young children to have the opportunity to learn and grow within their environment.
The role of the teacher within a play based environment is to support and guide the children as they grow and develop. Therefore, early childhood educators will provide a play based environment when the following are implemented: The teachers and assistants within the classrooms interacted with the children without completing any activities for them. During free play time the children are engaged in activities within each center area. The teachers are engaged with the children in different areas while observing the other areas of the classroom. The teachers are accessible to the children at all time.
Children that are provided with the opportunity to participating in creative play environment within their classroom will have the opportunity to learn and grow. Play within a hands-on environments was important in the past and play based programs are still of great value today. Therefore, early childhood educators as the teachers in their lives have a responsibility to provide a nurturing environment that promotes age appropriate growth and development through play based activities. Let us not forget that children are our future.
References
Hart, S. (2011). The impact of attachment: Development neuroaffective psychology. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
Machado, J. M. (2007). Early childhood experiences in language arts: Early literacy (8th ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.