Why Play?

You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”  -Plato

As educators, we understand the importance of toys and the many forms of play in a child's development.

Play inspires children to create visible expressions, to see ideas take form, and to freely realize the power of their creative spirit. In this way, the child builds confidence, develops courage and resilience, learns how to play with others, and develops concepts and skills in mathematics, science, art, and communication.

"The blocks were great to explore and work with. I wonder how many different ways the students will decide to use the blocks? I wonder what they will observe about the blocks? All areas of the curriculum will be brought into block play. We can measure, discuss shapes, counting, sorting and various other activities. Language comes into play when children discuss what they are going to make and what they plan to do with the blocks."

Hands-on play and art making with open-ended materials connect children and adults with the psychosocial stages of human development. This reconnection spontaneously balances and strengthens hope, will, purpose, competence, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom as revealed in the work of Joan and Erik Erikson.

READ Promoting Creativity for Life Using Open-Ended Materials and Block Play and Performance Standards: Using unconstructed materials to teach academic content