Learning through Play
We cornered Shona Sanosi, educational expert and School Director, at Blue House Nursery & International School to share her hot tips on how to make the most out of playtime for our kids…
Q. Why is playtime important for toddlers?
Play is a wonderful outlet for children to express their feelings and emotions. Children make connections with the surrounding environment via active exploration. They utilize learning through play to discover, project, and explore new ideas. They build meaningful connections with peers and adults and also explore using all their senses.
Q. What is sensory play and why is it important?
Sensory exploration is a child’s way of examining, discovering, categorizing, and making sense of the world around them. Play is a natural and satisfying experience once children know how to manage their senses; they are able to learn through them. Children also build on their language skills as they connect with others.
Q. What are opened-ended materials, and why are they important?
Think of things that are not your traditional toys. Open-ended materials are learning tools that encourage your child’s curiosity and learning ability, they open the world up to a thousand possibilities. At Blue House Nursery & International School, for example, we explore many real-life, open ended materials like shiny objects, cups, water, sand, magnets and even light for example. These things present endless opportunities and naturally appeal to children’s curiosity and desire to explore.
Q. Why is environment so important for childhood development?
We often refer to the environment as ‘the third teacher or even parent’ as the types of materials and even the way they are displayed can affect the way children learn and want to learn. At Blue House we focus on setting up what we call ‘provocations’, it’s like an invitation to the children. We set up the environment in a way that provokes their curiosity and encourages them to discover and learn.
Q. What kind of environment do children need to get the most out of playtime?
Children are natural explorers; they need a calm, tranquil space to discover and connect. A space where they are in control of their own learning.
Bright, loud, busy spaces are not always the best for childhood development. Parents should look at the colours, fabrics, and textures that are in the space and ask – ‘will my child learn, how will they react, and respond to this environment?’
We welcome you to come and try The Blue House Infant & Toddler Atelier. It is a purpose-built, unique space designed to encourage children aged 6-36 months to explore and discover. Tailor made with our Reggio Emilia philosophy in mind, the space emphasizes the importance of the environment’s role in children’s development. Children learn life skills such as sharing, turn taking, and negotiating as they interact with other children in the Atelier.
Some people refer to the Atelier as more like an interactive museum and we love this analogy!
Q. How is the Blue House Infant & Toddler Atelier so unique?
We have invested heavily into creating the perfect learning environment for infants and toddlers, from extensive international research and experience. From light boxes with different switches, colours, liquids and even a projector that projects a variety of images, colours, and shapes on walls. Long things, round things, shiny things, rough things, are all used in unique and interesting ways, and are forever changing seeing those joining us for weekly classes always challenged with new and interesting activities.
Our experienced Atelier Team of Ms. Ais and Ms. Tricia, both trained and experienced early childhood educators, are on hand 100% of the time engaging with the children, singing, dancing and offering further challenges and opportunities to explore and learn.
Q. How do I join in or trial the Atelier?
You can join our regular scheduled parent accompanied 1-hour classes on a weekly basis (or ad-hoc if you prefer the flexibility) and we also have a series of open ended drop-in sessions where you can pop by for an hour or three at your leisure with your little one (the perfect way to see the afternoon hours tick over!).
We also have special “Daddy & Me” and “Family Connections” Classes (designed for the whole family and multiple siblings) on Saturdays.
Q. How does the Atelier help with the transition to school?
For many, starting Nursery or Pre-school with a little one of 18-months or even 2.5 years can be a daunting experience, and we find our Atelier makes the transition just that bit easier to digest and prepare for, whichever school you have in mind.
Starting your child in the right learning environment and getting that curiosity to explore and discover challenged in the right way is a great way to go, particularly in the early years when children’s brains are so thirsty to learn!
Thanks Shona!
The Blue House Infant & Toddler Atelier is open from Mon-Sat. Call Diana on 6462 6540 or email [email protected] for the weekly drop-in or class sessions. This article was sponsored by Blue House International.