At Dalton Preschool, we believe that play is children’s work and provides the most effective stage for brain development and learning in the early childhood years. The activities we plan for the children, the way we organize the classroom environment, select toys and materials, plan the daily schedule, and talk with children, are all designed to accomplish the objectives of the curriculum and give your child a successful start in their education.  We use Creative Curriculum and Second Step programs.

Play-Based Learning in Preschool

Play-based learning is an educational approach that uses play as the primary method for children to explore, experiment, discover, and learn. It is child-centered and guided by the interests, needs, and developmental stages of the children.

Core Principles

Child-Led Exploration:

Children choose activities based on their interests, promoting autonomy and motivation.

Hands-On Learning:

Learning happens through doing—manipulating objects, role-playing, building, and creating.

Teacher as Facilitator:

Educators observe, ask open-ended questions, and scaffold learning without direct instruction dominating.
Integrated Learning Domains:
Cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and language skills develop simultaneously through play.

Benefits:

-Cognitive Development: Solving puzzles, building structures, and experimenting with materials nurture problem-solving and critical thinking.

-Language Skills: Dramatic play and storytelling expand vocabulary and communication abilities.

-Social-Emotional Growth: Sharing, negotiating, and role-playing foster empathy, cooperation, and self-regulation.

-Physical Development: Fine and gross motor skills are enhanced through activities like drawing, climbing, and sensory play.

Examples of Play-Based Activities

Activity
Skills Developed
*Block building
Spatial awareness, planning, teamwork
*Dress-up & role play
Creativity, empathy, language
*Sensory bins
Fine motor skills, science concepts, sensory input
*Outdoor obstacle course
Gross motor skills, coordination, risk assessment