Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
Home
  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
  • 9 Things You No Longer See on Playgrounds
  • Benefits of Nature Play
  • Kindergarteners Need Play
  • Train Themed Playground
  • It's the Contractor's Fault
  • The World is a Kiwanis Playground
  • Incorporating Play Into Your Preschool

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Play
  3. Education
  4. Incorporating Play Into Your Preschool

Incorporating Play Into Your Preschool

Education
March 19, 2021
Profile picture for user PGP
By PGP on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
103
Incorporating Play Into Your Preschool

Incorporating Play Into Your Preschool

The preschool years are a time for discovery and learning, so although an educational curriculum is helpful during this age, play is just as important.

The preschool years are full of major accomplishments, both physically and mentally, for children. Incorporating play into your preschool allows children to explore and unlock their natural ability to create, think, and reason. The beauty of playtime is that it stimulates all these things while children are just enjoying themselves.

Imagination Stations

Sadly, as we get older, our imagination becomes limited because we experience so much reality. Children, on the other hand, are exploring a whole new world, and imaginations run wild. Imaginative play serves an essential purpose.

As children play dress-up or pretend to be in another place or time, they make decisions and discover the world around them. Pay attention, and you will see a child dealing with emotions and feelings as they explore their imaginations.

In a preschool, you can encourage imagination with dress-up stations that allow children to be firefighters, archaeologists, mommies or daddies, or whatever they choose. Or an area with puppets so that children can make fun voices and express emotions through pretending. Listen to your preschoolers while they play, and you’ll hear what kind of pretending they enjoy.

Physical Play

As we watch children run and play, all we see is exercise and children having fun. Thankfully, both of those things are true. However, there are a few aspects of physical play other than exercise and fun that make it an integral part of a child’s development.

Socializing often occurs while kids are running around and enjoying physical activity with other children. Gross and fine motor skills develop as they kick a ball or learn how to swing. Cooperation naturally happens on a playground with children taking turns on the slide.

Consider an indoor playground for your preschoolers as part of their options during playtime. Even in a smaller space, you may be able to install a ball pit or a tunnel slide. For safety’s sake, always have a professional install an indoor playground.

Hands-On Play

Hands-on play allows children to discover with their senses. Touching and visualizing while building and creating improves a child’s fine motor skills. Wooden blocks and building blocks of all types are great ideas for a hands-on learning station in your preschool. While we see a child stacking blocks, they may be seeing the world’s tallest building.

Play-Doh and modeling clay can be very calming to children if they are in a restful mood or need to settle down. While squeezing and shaping these soft materials, a child has to control their hand movements and is discovering new sensations while playing.

Setting up stations or play areas is an easy solution when incorporating play into your preschool. They give children options, leading to the development of their decision-making skills and allowing them to choose an activity that suits how they are currently feeling.

Add new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
About text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Profile picture for user PGP
PGP
Published 2 years ago
Last updated 5 months ago
103
1
min read
A- A+
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

More About Education

Children making art
Nov 15, 2017
Education

Play Prepares Children for Life

Pat Rumbaugh
Family doing homework together
Oct 20, 2020
Education

Five Common Errors Parents Are Making When Studying with Their Kids

Martin M Dotson
boy doing homework on laptop
Nov 18, 2020
Education

Homeschooling Resources: 5 Educational Apps for Children

Katie Greene
Teacher Appreciation
Apr 20, 2020
Education

4 Unique Ways to Give Thanks to Teachers Right Now

Kacey Mya
Can Prep Courses And Play Help Your Child Succeed In Life?
Feb 04, 2020
Education

Can Prep Courses And Play Help Your Child Succeed In Life?

Kelsey Browns
How Educational Videos Are Beneficial for Children?
Apr 27, 2021
Education

How Educational Videos Are Beneficial for Children?

Inna Atwood
Oct 01, 2005
Education

The Long and Short of Abbreviations

Playground Magazine
Children in school
Mar 05, 2019
Education

9 Ways You Can Help Your Children Succeed At School

Becky Holton
Dec 01, 2006
Education

Understanding the Lonely Child

Playground Magazine
Kids enjoying the playground.
May 07, 2018
Education

Teachers Place High Value on Recess

Ipema Association
Little girl going home school work on a laptop giving thumbs up
Dec 08, 2020
Education

6 Practical Tips for Homeschooling Parents

Katherine Perkins
Education is Critical in Working with Playground Stewards
Jan 01, 2002
Education

The Weakest Link

Playground Magazine

Education Professionals

KidKiddos Books
KidKiddos Books
Organization
More
Tout About Toys
Tout About Toys
Manufacturer
More
National Association for the Education of Young Children
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Organization
More
Playworks
Playworks
Organization
More
Shape America
Shape America
Organization
More
New England Symposium On Play
New England Symposium On Play
Organization
More
Association for Childhood Education International
Association for Childhood Education International
Organization
More
Natural Learning Initiative
Natural Learning Initiative
Organization
More
US Play Coalition
US Play Coalition
Organization
More
Peaceful Playgrounds Foundation
Peaceful Playgrounds Foundation
Organization
More
Lakeshore Learning Materials
Lakeshore Learning Materials
Manufacturer
More
Guildcraft Arts & Crafts
Guildcraft Arts & Crafts
Sales Rep
More
Home

Follow Us

Play and playground news and information since 2001

  • instagram
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • linkedin

Company

  • Playground Magazine
  • Contributors
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2001 - 2023 Playground Professionals, LLC

Footer menu

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions