Play is the Work of Children

A child's play is more than just carefree time. Through play, children learn and incorporate new found skills in their lives. It is important that play centers encourage and motivate children to learn. Therefore, child care providers should design play centers with emphasis on areas of interest, such as home living, art, music, science and math.

What might a child learn from an interest center?

• Home living centers provide opportunities to learn about nutrition, following directions, use of senses, development of language. Provide children with kitchen toys, food containers, play food, and dress up clothing. They may imagine themselves as a mother serving her child, a chef at a great restaurant, or a customer enjoying a meal in another country. 

• An art center helps develop essential skills such as creativity, imagination, positive self-image and fine motor skills. Fill this center with supplies for open ended activities. Allow the children to express feelings in their own way. Choices might include and paint and brushes, crayons, play dough, glue, paper, stamps, tape, and yarn. Don't forget found objects and recyclables like toilet paper tubes, milk jugs or buttons.

• Children love music! Let them beat the drums, toot the horn, sing out of tune and dance their wiggles out. Music enhances skills such as memorization, vocabulary, coordination, social skills and timing. A well designed music center might have any of the following: cymbals, tambourine, sand blocks, maracas, rhythm sticks, guitars, flutes, and so on. Let them make their own too. Make a plastic container drum, tie bells together to shake, use a shoe box and rubber-bands for a guitar. 

Related training: Special Interest Centers

CDA Competency: Safe and Healthy Environment [1 hour / .1 CEU]
Washington STARS Credit: Curriculum Development [1 hour]
Washington Core Competency: Content Area 2 Curriculum and Learning Environment [1 hour]
 > Early Care & Education Professionals [1 hour]
Oregon Core Body of Knowledge: Learning Environments & Curriculum [1 hour]

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