Benefits for Students
Student is able to show what they are good at
Students don't all learn and the same way and don't always show exactly what they know on paper and pencil tasks. Play allows students to use materials that interest them. This allows students to show what they know best. Their strengths can be show cased with play.
Allows students to show what they enjoy
During academic learning, you can't always learn about students interests or delve deeper into something they enjoy. Play allows students to explore a topic further, but it also shows you what they enjoy.
Development in all areas
Play helps students develop physically, socially/emotionally, and academically. Play can be used to teach students social skills, especially if they are struggling to learn them on their own in social situations. When students are working out problems or learning to deal with not getting their own way they are working on social/emotional development. During play, students are moving around which works on physical development. Academic development can be reinforced through play with areas based on lessons already taught, but new ideas can also be introduced.
Benefits for Educators
Get to know students
Educators think they know their students, but through play they can really get to know their students. Through play, educators can see students strengths and weaknesses. Educators can give as many paper and pencil tasks, but they won't truly see students until they see them in a play setting.
Work on advocation skills
Having play in your classroom means having to make sure your students have everything they need. In order to get everything necessary, you may have to advocate to your leadership about what is needed. Not all educators are lucky enough to have leadership that supports play. Educators may have to advocate to their leadership why they need to have play in their classroom.
Improve communication skills
When having play in the classroom, educators should reach out to families to help collect materials for the different play areas. Educators can reach out to families to see if they would be willing to donate recyclable materials or reusable materials.