It’s been said before and I will say it again: children seem to learn faster and retain more information when they learn through play. In an article by parentingscience.com, they relate this study:
In 1964, Marion Diamond and her colleagues published an exciting paper about brain growth in rats. The neuroscientists had conducted a landmark experiment, raising some rats in boring, solitary confinement and others in exciting, toy-filled colonies.
When researchers examined the rats’ brains, they discovered that the “enriched” rats had thicker cerebral cortices than did the “impoverished” rats (Diamond et al 1964).
Subsequent research confirmed the results—rats raised stimulating environments had bigger brains.
They were smarter, too–able to find their way through mazes more quickly (Greenough and Black 1992). – See more at: http://www.parentingscience.com/benefits-of-play.html#sthash.UvhAUzz0.dpuf
While it would be great to test this theory on children, there is no ethical way to do so. As a parent, would you want your child to be in solitary confinement while others were exposed to exciting toy-filled colonies? I didn’t think so!
That being said, encouraging play and exposing your children to school environments where play is the focal point of their education is a great way to give your child a head-start on their career. But how is it that children learn more through play? Why is it so much more beneficial for them to play instead of sitting down, holding still and memorizing letters, words and numbers?
Why children can learn through play easier and faster
1) It is fun…and what is fun is interesting’
2) It involves their whole-brain… not just the left or right side;
3) If it is a good kindergarten, they will have a positive perspective on school and will be more open to primary school when it is time for them too.
There is something magical that happens when your child is given time every hour or so to play unrestricted and not under the duress of a teacher who is trying to get them to learn something. These little breaks support your child in having a better attention span when class resumes, in developing their social-emotional skills and in creative problem-solving. In short, giving your child 10-20 minute breaks every 50 minutes or so does wonders for their brain development!
Little Human Scholars Learn through play kindergarten in PJ
Little Human Scholar playschool and preschool is a fantastic kindergarten located in PJ near University Hospital, Jaya One, Jaya33, PJ Old Town and PJ New Town that focuses on play-centered learning. In fact, should you walk into the school with your child, many parents will find that the teachers are merely “big kids” and get down on the ground and play with your children as if they were their own!
This is one of the things that I personally loved about the school: aside from play-based learning, the teachers genuinely care and play with their students. On top of that, the class sizes are relatively small. There are usually no more than seven (7) or eight (8) children per adult (and if you walk into the nursery there are not more than three babies per adult). They also have an ample supply of teacher’s aides and nannies that are always available to lend a helping hand.
If that isn’t enough, the school itself boasts CCTV coverage that is accessible to the parents via a free phone app. If at any time you are at work or at home and you want to check in on your little ones, all you have to do is check your phone! You can see exactly what your child is learning and doing anytime they are at school (save for bathroom breaks).
If you would like to enrol your child for a free week trial, all you have to do is email enquiry@littlehumanscholars.com.my or call (017) 7303 027 and a staff member of Little Human Scholars kindergarten in PJ will happily walk you through the process.
Have a great day!
Jana Moreno