As parents, we all know how important it is for our children to learn. We want to give them the best possible foundation for their education and help them develop the skills they need to succeed. At the same time, we also want them to have fun, enjoy their childhood and experience the joy of play. Finding the right balance between education and play can be challenging, but there are ways that childcare centres can help.
Importance of Finding Balance Between Education and Play
Early childhood education helps little ones acquire the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success in life. It prepares children for their future by giving them the tools they need to grow in their chosen career paths. It helps develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and a broad range of knowledge they can apply as they navigate the world.
Equally vital is play, as it provides children with opportunities to explore, experiment, and discover in a fun and engaging way. Play helps children develop their imagination, creativity, and social skills. It also helps them build self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of identity.
The right balance between the two is vital to a child’s development. Too much emphasis on education without play can lead to burnout, stress, and anxiety in children. On the other hand, too much play without structured education can lead to a lack of basic knowledge and skills necessary for their future.
How Childcare Centres Help in Finding Balance Between Education and Play
Understanding Child Development
Childcare centres employ qualified early childhood educators trained in childhood development. They understand the different needs of children at different stages and can provide age-appropriate activities and learning opportunities that are both fun and educational.
Providing Structured Learning
One of the ways a child can learn and eventually succeed in life is by having a sense of routine and forming habits. Childcare centres can provide a structured environment that helps educate children in a stimulating and supportive setting with time for learning, play, rest and meals. Â
The little ones can learn new things and develop cognitive skills by following a structured curriculum. It is particularly vital for children when developing numeracy and literacy skills.
Adopting Play-based Learning
Children learn better through play and when they engage in fun activities. Playful learning helps activate different parts of the brain, making it easier for children to retain and recall information. Childcare centres offer many opportunities for children to benefit from play-based learning, which takes many forms. It can be unstructured, imaginative, and sensory play. Playing is an excellent way to help children reach their milestones and build other crucial life skills.
Parent-Teacher Support
While parents are a child’s first teachers, the support they can receive from childcare centres is valuable. Educators can help parents provide the right balance between education and play, even in the home, by regularly discussing the child’s daily activities, progress, and any areas of development that might need extra attention. It ensures that parents and educators work together for the child’s benefit.
Amaze Education is Committed to Providing the Right Balance Between Education and Play
Giving children the right balance of education and play is crucial for their overall development and well-being. Children should have opportunities to learn and explore through play while receiving a quality education that prepares them for their future.
Amaze Education offers parents and families an approved Queensland Government Kindergarten programme facilitated by Bachelor trained, highly qualified educators. We have indoor classrooms conducive to learning phonetics, pre-literacy, pre-numeracy and social skills. We also adopt an Adventure Play philosophy, where we let the little ones explore in our internationally inspired outdoor play spaces designed to fulfil the ideals of the Early Years Learning Framework. Our commitment is to balance education and play in a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment to prepare children for a bright future.