I. Play is a child's way of learning
A. Children born with a fully functioning brain…
1. Are missing experience and understanding, but not an ability to think or learn
2. Society assumes that:
a. Children need to be guided in their learning
b. Children can't be trusted or are incapable of learning on their own
B. Learning is natural and internally self-motivated
1. Walking, talking
2. Alphabet, colors
3. Writing, reading, numbers
C. New learning...
1. Must relate to previously understood knowledge
a. Which is why it must be tailored and individualized
2. Requires testing, hands-on experimentation
a. Cannot be fully understood if it comes from the outside
with no personal experience (can only
be memorized at best)
D.
There's a difference between understanding concepts and imitating or absorbing
social
knowledge
1. Hands-on leads to conceptual understanding (sand table;
water play; counting 1-1
correspondence)
2. Reciting numbers vs. understanding quantity
E. Learning blocks can make learning difficult
1. No free attention to tackle the new situation
2. Too much pressure and/or fear of failure
3. Old tensions and anxieties from past situations and confusions
4. Adults can play vital role in helping undo the blocks (as opposed to forcing the learning)
II. What's being learned, discovered, or reinforced in play?
A. Experimenting, trying new things, exploring unchartered waters
1. It's hard for adults to keep track of what children
do and don't know and what they do and don't
understand
B. Reliving and rethinking real life
C. Testing the limits of our power; pushing the limits of our fears
1. Physical play
2. Superhero games
D. Developing morality (especially through interaction with peers)
E. Opportunity to be close and in connection with others of all ages
III. Adults’ Role in Play and Learning
A. Paying attention (why it's hard)
B. Letting children lead (so the learning remains individualized)
C.
Letting children win (so power relationship doesn't come into it and so
they can amass
self-confidence)
D. Providing the necessary missing information
E. Providing opportunities
F. Providing support and encouragement (particularly against their fears)
G. NOT to "teach" (learning isn't about being told what we don't know)
H. Assist in their emotional healing and repair
1. Of fears, frustration, disappointment
2. Of past and present struggles which...
a. present themselves in the context of play
b. might otherwise interfere with their ability to learn
I.
Cannot play a useful role without being playful, affectionate, tolerant
of noise and chaos, being willing to
get dirty, and being willing to get involved