What is Play?

As you read and explore HO4K you see the children play!  and play!  and play!  Our wonderful teachers facilitate learning into play and play into learning.  You'll notice at the bottom of most posts what the children are learning as they're playing.  The following is a great perspective from Exchange EveryDay on play:

"Historically, play has been viewed as a frivolous break from important endeavors like working and learning when, in fact, a child’s ability to fully and freely engage in play is essential to their learning, productivity, and overall development," observe Steve Gross and Rebecca Cornelli Sanderson in their article, "Play is the Way," in the Beginnings section of the September/October 2012 Exchange magazine. They continue:

"A natural drive to play is universal across all young mammals. Children from every society on earth spend time playing. Why? Because play is a crucial vehicle for exploring and learning, developing new skills, and connecting with others. From an infant’s first smile to a preschooler’s careful construction of a tower, children use play to engage with and learn about their world. Play has key neurological, cognitive, socio-emotional, and physiological benefits for children’s health. Most importantly, play is the way in which children form loving, trusting relationships.

"People often think of play in terms of specific ‘play activities’ such as tag, soccer, or playing in the sandbox. In contrast, they think of work in terms of activities like raking leaves, cooking, cleaning, or doing homework. It is our belief that any activity, as long as it is done with a playful approach, is play. In other words, it’s not about what you do, it’s about how you do it. Playfulness is the expression of our natural drive to freely and joyfully explore, engage, and connect with the surrounding world."

The above picture is a perfect example of impromptu play that the students came up with on their own and Ms. JoAnn and Mr. Eddy facilitated their play into learning.  Everyday the students play outside at HO4K.  This particular day in the giant sandbox was windy.  Despite the wind, the students still had a blast using their imaginations throwing tissues up in the air and watching them fly!  One student also learned on his own if the tissue has sand on it that it will not fly.  This activity worked for every age and the children and teachers had an unforgettable time!  Now the question is, do you think March will come in like a lamb or a lion this year??
...And here's what the students learned:
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
2.PK.1  Demonstrate a basic form in walking, running, climbing, jumping, hopping, and walking up ad down stairs.
2.PK.2  Perform a variety of large motor skills (throw a ball in purposeful direction, attempt to catch a large ball, etc.)
SCIENCE
E.PK.1  Observe and identify weather from day to day.
P.PK.2  Explore and demonstrate how object move.
P.PK.4  Explore what happens to objects in relation to other forces.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL
G8.PK.1  Identify weather conditions
2.PK.1b  Move through routines and activities with minimal adult/teacher direction.