Why Play?

We embrace the philosophy of a play-based hands-on approach in which children are actively engaged in constructing their learning. Play is a fundamental tool for nurturing curious minds, fostering creativity, and building the strong foundation upon which a lifetime of learning will flourish.

Picture a child in their most natural state – a radiant ball of energy, filled with boundless curiosity and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Play is the language through which they explore the world around them, make sense of their experiences, and learn to connect with others. Play provides the canvas on which children paint their imaginations, experimenting, problem-solving, and discovering solutions to challenges that arise during their interactive adventures. Collaborative play encourages children to communicate, negotiate, and build relationships, teaching them invaluable social skills. Emotional growth unfolds as they express themselves, cope with different feelings, and learn empathy as they interact with their peers. Furthermore, the physical aspects of play help to develop fine and gross motor skills, ultimately contributing to a child's overall physical well-being.

Teachers are facilitators, guiding and supporting rather than dictating. They create environments where children are free to explore, question, and experiment. Learning through play involves both the teacher and student to be actively engaged.

Research shows that play-based learning enhances academic and developmental outcomes. The process of learning involves transferring new knowledge or skills from the short-term memory to the long-term memory. Making a deposit, if you will, into a brain bank that can be drawn on for future reference. For the young child this transfer of knowledge happens most effectively through an active hands-on approach and this happens during play.

The evolution of play in Early Childhood at PS becomes Think.Make.Talk in Lower and Middle School. The foundation of hands-on play-based learning allows students to create their own meaning through personalized experiences in Early Childhood resulting in authentic learning in Lower and Middle School. The PS Early Childhood curriculum invites students to experience a dynamic curriculum through academic content in literacy, math, social studies, and science in an engaging and developmentally appropriate ways that are play-based.