1. THE POWER OF PLAY Saddleback College Child Development Center

2. Definition of Play An exercise or activity for amusement or recreation.

3. According to Jean Piaget, “Play is a means of facilitating learning by exposing a child to new experiences and new possibilities of physical and mental activities for dealing with the world. Eric Erikson believes that play develops a child’s self-esteem and sense of empowerment by allowing them mastery of objects.

4. Saddleback College’s Child Development Center’s philosophy states “…We believe that play is the primary vehicle in which children learn. We offer children a variety of experiences and activities designed to give them opportunities for self-discovery, exploration and the freedom to create in a safe environment…”

5. Ms. Collett’s Room – The Blue Room (5 years) 8:00 – 9:00Classroom Opening meet & greet 9:00 – 10:15Indoor Play – slides to follow 10:15 – 10:30 Clean-up 10:30 – 11:30 Small Group Outside Play Groups 1 & 2 11:30 – 12:00 Lunch together 12:00 – 1:00Rest Time 1:00 – 3:00Indoor Play and Snack 3:15- 3:25Clean-up 3:25- 3:45Group Time 3:45 – 4:50Art/Music 4:50 – 5:00Clean-up

6. Indoor Play *Play stations set up around the room 1)Create A Hat Station - Decorating of hats in celebration of one student’s birthday. 2)Building Station - Magnetic building blocks 3)Cars & Paper/Crayon Station - Create roads to play with cars 4)House Station - Creative house play

7. Indoor Play Continued … Create A Hat Station - What Can Be Learned? *Textures of materials (paper, feathers, glitter, cloth) *Scented stickers - smell *Color of markers *Sharing limited items *Letters – names placed on hats *Use of scissors – fine motor skills *Working together *Patience – teacher assisted in stapling hats.

8. Indoor Play Continued … Building Station – What Can Be Learned? *Expansion of imagination *Height and width *Weight – How high can I build until things fall? *Color – blocks were different colors *Sharing *Team work – working with others *Spatial – three dimensional *Shapes – blocks different shapes *Communication skills

9. Indoor Play Continued … Cars & Paper/Crayon Station – What Can Be Learned? *Creativity *Sound of cars – pitches,variety,levels *Development of Cities – children created roads, homes, police depts. *Colors *Types of cars *Team work *Sharing *Communication Skills

10. Indoor Play Continued … House Station – What Can Be Learned? *Imagination *Nurturing characteristics *Sharing *Domestic skills *Creativity with dress up *Communication skills

11. A Few Observations Of Children During Indoor Play *Upon entering class students were greeted, few said hello back & many were embarrassed. *All girls went to the “Create a Hat” station or “House” station and tended to stay with other girls. *No boys went to the “House” station and were often at stations alone. *Boys definitely gravitated to the “Building” and “Car” stations. *Boys chose “fireman” hats to decorate. *Girls chose “princess” crowns to decorate.

12. Implications For Parents of Young Children *Before you place your children in front of the television, determine what other choices of play exist in your home. *Analyze what skills children are learning with the toys they play with. *Toys do not have to be purchased. Think of items you already have (pots & pans, large cardboard box, tupperware etc.).