Whilst plenty of the Glendower community have been off resting and relaxing over the half term break, quite a few of the staff have been incredibly busy on site developing the new play area! The girls should be very excited to come back and try it out and we’re sure they’ll tell you all about it once they’ve had a play.
Play is not just a frivolous pastime for children; it is a crucial component of their development. Play is an essential aspect of childhood that not only brings joy and laughter but also plays a pivotal role in a child’s overall development. In this article, we will explore why children need to play, how it aids in their development, and why we have invested in revamping their play areas to enhance the educational experience, and will continue to support the girls in their play. Ultimately, we also want to show how play actually forms part of our strategy to achieving our aims.
Cognitive Development:
Playtime offers our girls the opportunity to explore, experiment, and problem-solve, independent of adult-led activity and structure. Through imaginative and creative play, children engage their cognitive abilities, developing essential skills such as critical thinking and spatial awareness. We want our girls to become gamechangers, and without space to play, they will only ever know a world where decisions are made for them more often than for themselves.
Social and Emotional Development:
Play is a social activity that fosters interaction and cooperation. Children learn to negotiate, share, and understand the importance of empathy and teamwork. This can lead to the development of strong interpersonal skills that are crucial for future relationships and emotional well-being. It helps them move forward with our aim to foster positive and kind relationships in our school, and gives them a place to learn to become socially-aware, inclusive and responsible citizens.
Physical Development:
Physical activities during play, such as running, climbing, and jumping, help children develop their motor skills and coordination. Such physical engagement is vital for growing bodies and lays the foundation for an active and healthy lifestyle.
Language and Communication Skills:
In play, children often engage in conversation, storytelling, and role-playing. These activities enhance their language and communication skills, which are essential for academic success and future career prospects. This article on the power of play in language development is well worth a read.
The traditional, mundane school playgrounds with simple swings and slides have given way to innovative, engaging play areas that align with the ever-evolving needs of 21st-century education. The above might already have you convinced, but we wanted to invest in our play area for a truly enhanced learning experience. Modern play areas are designed to be extensions of the classroom, promoting experiential learning. Play isn’t separate to learning, it is all wrapped up in one continuous learning experience which we call a school day! We are constantly looking for ways that we can be turning playtime into a valuable educational experience, as much as what they get from their time in the classroom.
We’re sure the girls will love what we’ve done with the new play area and please do let us know what they say about it when they get home!
