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Dr. Rebecca IsbellDrisbell.com

The Power of Play: The Essential Element in Young

Children’s Learning

Play Is…Active. Spontaneous. Enjoyable.Self-Initiated. Intensely Involved.

An Avenue to Learning.Internally Motivated. Persistent.

Play Environment Matches

• Cognitive level• Executive Function• Personal experiences• Active way of learning• Interest in materials• All levels of

development

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Encourage Meaningful Activity

Playing With Language

Exploring

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Solitary Play

Sensory Play

Construction Play

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Symbolic Play

Socio Dramatic Play• Adapting and adjusting to the child’s world• Empathizing with others• Using meaningful language• Working collaboratively• Persistence on task• Cooperating with other children

(Sara Smilanisky)

American Academy of Pediatrics

“Play is essential for helping children reach important social, emotional, and cognitive developmental milestones…

It is also helpful in developing the ability to cope with problems and

issues that will strengthen their ability to adjust.”

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What Do the Experts Say?

Piaget: “Thinking and play are

interconnected, each impacting

the other”

Vygotsky

“During play, children use their language to

accompany activity…and move to higher levels

of understanding.”

Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligences

“In play, children are using thinking, language, movement, and the arts in meaningful activity.”

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Ed Zigler Father of Head Start

“Play provides the opportunity for children to talk, collaborate,

and problem solve.”

PETER GRAY“I present compelling evidence that over

the past 50 years—as children's opportunities for free play and exploration have declined—there has been a dramatic rise in anxiety, depression, and suicide in

young people, who have not had the opportunity that free play provides to find

meaning and joy in life.”Book, “Freedom to Learn”

PETER GRAY• Children making choices• Adapting and adjusting to the

choices• Making mistakes• Persistence• Problem solving

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Holistic Learning

“My Best Ideas Are

When I Am Playing”

(Einstein)

Brain Development• Research shows that experience and

opportunities during play are essential to development of neural pathways

• Each process is unique• Growing and adapting• Optimal learning immersed in real-life and

hands-on meaningful activities

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Impacting Cognition

MIT SANDBOX SUMMIT

”Play that is open-ended stimulates creativity and fosters the social and critical that is needed in the 21st Century.” (2015)

Language Development

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21st Century Skills

• Critical Thinking• Communication• Collaboration• Creativity

Math and Science

Playing with ideas!

PROBLEM SOLVING

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Physical DevelopmentSmall Motor Large Motor

Social SkillsWorking together Respect for others

Emotional Issues

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Life Skills:Executive Functioning

LIFE SKILLS: GALINSKY• Focus/Self Control• Perspective Taking• Communicating• Critical Thinking (Creative Thinking)• Taking on Challenges• Self-Directed, Engaged Learning

Develop Responsibility

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PLAYING IN THE ARTS

• Visual Arts• Movement• Drama• Music

VISUAL ARTS

MOVEMENT

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DRAMA: THEATER

MUSIC:COMPOSING, IMPROVISING

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Learning Spaces and Centers

Small Groups:

Adults In Space

• Responds to play in a positive way• Prepares the environment• Supports when needed• Selects the centers, materials, and

experiences• Leads reflections, takes pictures, and

shares

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Benefits of Learning Spaces/Centers

• Small Group: Multi-Age• More Involvement: Active Learning• Making Choices• Using Language• High Interest• Working Together: Cooperation• Focused Activity

Home Living

Block Center

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Benefits of Block Center• Using oral language• Developing understanding of space• Refining small and large motor

skills• Solving problems creatively• Collaborating on a structure• Learning cause and effect

Literacy-Rich Environment

LIBRARY CENTER

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Grocery Store

Shoe Store

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Music Center

AUTHORS PLAY WITH WORDS

WRITING AREA: VARIETYIndividual

Choices

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ThinkingExecutive FunctioningLanguage and Literacy

Social SkillsEmotional DevelopmentPhysical Competencies

Building Confidence

Play Inspires

Open-Ended

Flexible Opportunities

Learning Together

Successful Experiences

Joyful participation

Play For All Children

Nurturing Play• Adults who value and support play• Sufficient time and space• Play materials: open-ended, variety of

choices, relate to children, & culturally sensitive

• Learning (Play) Centers: Select center, chose props, self managing, changing centers and materials

• Reflecting on play• Outdoor Play

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Dr. Rebecca IsbellWebsite: Drisbell.com