Welcome to a new year at Valley Parent.  I’d like to share this wonderful introduction to play based learning from our MWF Pre-K teacher, Tess Bramer.  Tess will be sharing more on play based learning at our first general meeting on September 26th. 

Our play based curriculum helps foster a love of learning and gives children the ability to learn through their own curiosity, exploration, experimentation and discovery.  Play is much deeper than it may seem – and it is critical to children’s development. 

Through their play, children are learning to think, problem solve and create – skills that will benefit them for a lifetime of learning.  Through group play, they are also learning how to be social and how to navigate through different social situations. 

Through trial and error (and appropriate teacher interactions) they will learn how to join a group in play, how to treat and keep friends, and how to take care of themselves if someone is not treating them nicely or fairly. If you watch carefully, you will see them working on personal challenges, social issues or family roles through their dramatic play – quite amazing!