LOTS OF LEARNING FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Children Learn Through Play. Play is the child¹s work, perhaps the child¹s most important way of learning. This learning process occurs even when it may not be obvious, when children actively explore their environment and act on their inborn curiosity. Adults can contribute to this natural process by encouraging children¹s interests and efforts, talking to them about what they are experiencing, and helping them elaborate and extend their play.

Children Learn from Their Peers
When children play with siblings and friends, they learn from each other. As questions, challenges, and conflicts arise, they learn how to solve problems. For example, a three-year-old is in the block area trying to "put a roof on  her house." Her more experienced four-year-old playmate suggests, "Let's try the longer block it looks like it might fit better." This mixed-age play in particular allows children to learn in two ways, both by modeling the behavior of older children and by "teaching" younger children.

Children Learn With Support 
It doesn't work just to tell children "You must share." At best, such orders are effective only temporarily while adults are present. However, when adults guide children through the process of taking turns or waiting for a turn, the children can internalize those strategies and use them the next time. For instance, a two-year-old wants a turn pushing a wagon, but both wagons are in use. A teacher says so that all can hear, "Jason is really waiting for a turn. He'll be ready as soon as you're done. Let's see what you can do, Jason, until they are finished. You can help put some more leaves in the wagon. Here's a rake to get another pile ready." This approach helps the child have a role and a way to enter the play. Such emotionally supportive language also helps children view adults as their advocates. It helps them solve problems rather than turning the situation into a struggle. 

Children Learn by Using Basic Materials
Young children learn by doing. Helping with cooking, chores, and other real work is of tremendous interest and value to them. This hands-on learning is also encouraged with open-ended materials such as:

• Materials for drawing, writing, and constructing: paper, pencils (thick primer ones are best for young children), crayons, scissors, glue, and tape. Commonly found materials such as cardboard boxes, which offer children many opportunities to represent their ideas.
• Easel paints and water colors for painting.
• Water, sand, playdough, and clay for sensory experiences.
• Building blocks (hardwood unit blocks are best), Legos, and puzzles for building and manipulating.
• Dress-up clothes, hats, and props for taking on roles even better if children can make their own costumes.
• Dolls and doll clothes, so children can play out roles they have experienced.
• Some simple musical instruments and opportunities to listen to music.
• The outdoors for investigating nature and for running, climbing, and other active play essential for large motor development.

The more hands-on experiences children have, the more curious and capable they become and, best of all, the more joy they feel at learning "a number of things."

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