“...do they just play around all day...or do you teach them?”
Yep, those words came right out of my mouth.
It was 1993 and I was working as a part time Teachers’ Aide in the Twos/Threes Classroom at a local child care center.
One week earlier, a friend had asked me, “...you like kids, right? Do you want to be an aide in my classroom?”
Next thing I knew I was sitting in the dramatic play corner pretending to eat plastic spaghetti.
That job required zero training in early childhood education.
I knew nothing of the importance of play.
30 years later with masters and doctoral degrees in early childhood education (ECE) under my belt, years of experience teaching preschool, and 11 years teaching ECE as a professor…
...and I now know MANY early childhood practitioners haven’t received a solid foundation in understanding play as the most important medium for young children’s learning.
In fact, as a professor I had to get creative and squeeze in readings and conversations about play into my courses because it simply was not included on most of the syllabi I was handed.
I’m curious…
For your current job, what were the educational requirements?
And, if you did do coursework or get a degree in child development or early childhood education, how much did you learn about the importance of play?
I’d love to know!
Also, which of these (if any) can you relate to the most?
Barb, what is your point with that story? Did you do any teaching at that center...or did you in fact, just let them play all day?
I know children can learn through play but I have trouble explaining that to children’s families.
I know children learn through play but I work at a public school and my principal doesn’t get it.
I know children learn best through play but that is at odds with the standards and expectations in my program. Help! I would like to prioritize play more.
I know how to set up my environment and support children to meet learning goals through play and I can effectively educate families and my administration about this.
Or, maybe none of the statements above quite fit and it’s something else?
Can you take a minute and let me know in the comments below?
And if you want to learn more about how to take a play-powered approach to supporting children who've experienced trauma…
Watch my 1-hour video interview with Sarah Erdman, author of Trauma and Young Children: Strategies to Support and Empower.
Workbook and 1-hour PD certificate included!