Kami Almy

Why play is so important!

 

This is my favorite poem and I share it with my families every year. It is also posted outside our classroom door with pictures of the students doing the activities in our classroom.

 

Just Playing

When I am building in the block room,

Please don’t say I’m “Just Playing.”

For, you see, I’m learning as I play,

About balance and shapes.

Who knows, I may be an an architect someday.

When I am getting all dressed up,

Setting the table, caring for the babies,

Don’t get the idea I’m “Just Playing.”

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I’m expressing myself and being creative.

I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair

“Reading” to an imaginary audience,

Please don’t laugh and think I’m “Just Playing.”

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,

Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,

Don’t pass it off as “Just Play.”

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some

“plaything” at my school,

Please don’t feel that time is wasted in “Play.”

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.

I may be in business some day.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,

Please don’t think that because I enjoy it, it is “Just Play.”

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I’m learning to follow directions and see differences.

I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run, and move my body,

Please don’t say I’m “Just Playing.”

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I’m learning how my body works.

I may be a doctor, nurse, or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I’ve done at school today,

And I say, I “Just played.”

Please don’t misunderstand me.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I’m learning to enjoy and be successful at my work,

I’m preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I am a child and my work is play.

Anita Wadley

Edmond, Oklahoma

 

 

Play is the foundation for all types of learning for children. Through play a child can increase their language and vocabulary development, develop an imagination and creativity, work on problem solving and mathematic skills as well as build fine and gross motor skills. These are all key developmental milestones for children in the range of 3-5. Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth. Play also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children.

 

 

We spend a large part of our day devoted to play because it is what is best for our students. We have one hour of uninterrupted play where students can come up  with a plan, work on their plan and recall their work with a staff member. We refer to this time as work time. During our daily activities we also have a set time for outside work time and another choice time in the afternoon where students make choices about what and where they want to play.

 

 

 

View the Ted Talk for more information about why play is so important.