Title

The Importance of Play to Enhance Children's Development

Author

Carol Piechoski, Concordia University, St. Paul

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Non Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education

Program

Early Childhood Education

Capstone Instructor

Cecelia Westby

Second Reader

Carmen Cook

Keywords

play-based education, sensory integration, floor time, learning disabilities

Abstract

Learning through play helps children learn in the following domains: social and emotional, language development, physical and cognitive development. Play is the best way that young children learn; educational goals can be reinforced while children are busy at play. When children are involved with their play, they are exploring on their own terms; and this exploration is how they learn to understand their world.

Children with disabilities have a hard time relating to others, even their peers. The adults who are part of their world should do everything possible to enhance their lives and their experiences. Knowing more about sensory integration is one way to accomplish this. Sensory integration can be incorporated into play situations and help children with disabilities explore their world using their sensory modalities, to help them learn to their fullest potential. Sensory Integration activities can be fun for children.

Floor time is another valuable tool to use with children who have learning disabilities, especially children who have trouble relating to others. This technique incorporates the adult getting involved in the play with the child; this helps children to 1eam how to relate to others. There are set steps to follow within this process to help a child with their emotional development.

Sensory Integration and Floor Time work together. Information about sensory integration is necessary for the Floor Time philosophy, and basic information about play is helpful to all.

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