STIMULATING YOUNG LEARNERS

It is very important to understand different methodologies in teaching

young learners. Some teachers find it difficult to deliver learning to the door

step of young learners.

I will be discussing various ways in which young learners could be involved

in deep learning and at the same time have fun while learning.

This contributes to the social and mental well-being/development of a child.

Introduction

What is play?

Play can be defined as a physical or mental activity which is child controlled

to give pleasure. Different educationists supported play as a vital tool in a

child’s learning. Piaget and Vygotsky reinforced that through play, a child’s

most important skills are developed.

Exposition

Play could be manipulative, exploratory, constructive, guided, creative,

tech or dramatic.

All these kinds of play have very crucial part in the learning and

development of a child especially in Early Childhood Education.

WAY IN WHICH PLAY CONTRIBUTES TO CHILD’S LEARNING ARE:

1. Through play, a child learns how to put memory in use. Memory is the

ability to encode, store and retrieve information. In essence, through play,

children can learn how to think, recall and also solve problems.

An example is ‘guided’ play which involves games with rules and puzzles.

2. Through play, a child learns language skills. By the time a child engages

in play, he/she will like to blabber or say monosyllabic words or even talk

clearly or audibly while play in on going. This is achieved through associative

play where children play together with the same objects, toys or by

imitating. Children take turns, share and make –up their minds on what to

play with or how to play. This processes help children to learn verbal and

nonverbal language skills.

3. Through play, a child learns how to be a part of team/group. This is

achieved by playing with others. When a child is allowed to play with others,

the child sees him/herself as a part of a group, a family or team. The child

develops team spirit and cooperative skills. Example: playing soccer with an

adult a child could pass ball to his father and take turns.

4. Through play, a child learns and masters self- confidence skills. When

children are allowed to play outdoor, they show excitement and readiness

thereby improving their confidence. Through play, children learn how to

take responsibilities for their actions and also get back on their feet after

mistakes and errors. After several successful attempt in play method, a child

builds self-confidence.

5. Through play, children learn the shapes, sizes and textures of objects

and equipment. Creative play gives the children opportunity to play with
clay, play-dough, and recycled materials. In this process, they touch, hit and

roll the play- materials. They use their imaginations to learn. Example: a

child playing with play-dough through imagination could identify it as solid

or hard.

Conclusively:

“A child who is not being stimulated, by being played with and who has few

opportunities to explore his or her surrounding, may fail to link up fully

those neural connections and pathways which will be needed for later

learning.”

(Sutton- Smith 1997)