Preschool: Learning through play

I am quite convinced
That we will be in twenty years
Looking at today's education system
Which is being implemented in a number of schools
Ask:
How we ever could suffer
Something so primitive.
Dzon V. Gardner, American writer (born 1912.)

Over time, the methods of teaching and learning have changed. From the
period in which the teacher had a central and irreplaceable role we have
come to a time when this role is actively transferred to the student, too.

Now, educational process goes both ways. Students are expected to

actively participate in teaching and communication is more interactive.
Also, teacher is no longer a central figure and verbal teaching is being
replaced by practical.
In this essay, I will put the focus on preschool education since this is going
to be my profession.
This modified form of education, I mentioned, can also be applied on
preschool teaching. The most powerful and most successful tool, in this
age, is the game.
Children are born to play it is part of human instinct. The game is fun and
exciting, but it is much more than that. The game helps develop a child's
imagination, creativity and social skills.
The game is a source of joy and most children instinctively wants to play. It
is active and is not limited by reality. Using imagination, the game allows

children to have control over their world. The child can play alone, or with
other children, sharing experiences and joy.
There are many types of games and the ways in which children can play.
Games in which children discover new things are called research
games (ex. playing in the sandbox). Constructiveor creative play
is when children use objects or toys to create something (ex. build towers
of dice). Imaginative play is usually related to the role-play, where
children take on the roles of real or unreal characters. Regardless of the
type of game, every game is good for children and helping them to
develop some particular skills and abilities.
Preschool children build their vocabulary and language skills during the
game.
*They develop fine motor skills playing with play dough, stringing
beads and other activities.
*They improve their motor skills by playing with the ball, skipping
rope and running.
*Play with other children allows children to learn how to function in a
team, to share, to negotiate, to listen and resolve conflicts.
* Independent game also allows children to learn to make decisions,
to explore their imagination and creativity, and discover new interests.
During my practice in preschool I noticed that the easiest way to teach
children something new is to present it like a game. The new information
should be accompanied with the picture or should be told as some funny
story and in the end children need to play with that information in the way
that they draw it or make some shape using play dough. It is the easiest
way for them to learn something.
Also, some practical things we do every day can be very stimulating in
learning process. For example:

using measures of length and width during food preparation

(child should be active helper)
ask your child to add 2 plates, 3 apples, 4 candy ...
together create a calendar of seasons, let the child paint it and
talk about the characteristics of spring, summer, autumn,
winter
reading the numbers on car license plates during daily walk,
etc.

There are many ways to teach children and to play with them at the same
time. That way they are learning and have fun at the same time.
The game should be a part of the daily interaction of parents and teachers
with children. However, the game should not be controlled by adults.
When it comes to playing with the children, the children should be given
priority in the selection of the game they like.
Interaction between children and adults in such activities helps improve
communication and connection.