SYNONYMITY OF PLAY WITH CHILDREN

Play, synonymous with the word children seems to now have lost its significance in this technologically driven world, where everything from entertainment to study can be accomplished at the press of a button. Is this the whole truth ?

An interview with Mr. Manjunath reveals otherwise. Mr. Manjunath is a Structural Engineer turned Social Entrepreneur who started trustee ventures, back in 2015 and manages Sesame Street Preschool, Yelahanka, Bengaluru. Ever since the commencement of his trustee ventures he’s been associated with early education.

Sesame Street Preschool follows a very structured curriculum that incorporates play as a part of its education. It started with the concept that physical assessment is necessary for a holistic development from a very young age. It all started back in 2016 and with each learning step, it was seen that renewed focus and structured physical activity is crucial for preschoolers.

Movement and activity do not only improve physical health but also intellectual health of kids because they learn about their environment through movement. Motor activity acts as a catalyst to support their interaction with their immediate environment. Our motor domain not only influences our physical but also our socio-emotional and educational domains which in turn are  eaningful for overall development. It not only provides interaction with other domains but also forms a successful foundation for further participation in various realms.

Most of the learning is accomplished when a child moves and explores which is why, for kids, the best way to physically act is to play. Children with developmental delays need to be acknowledged and their routine should necessarily consist of play in order to overcome it. Research suggests that structured physical activity for children with or without developmental delays can aid in skill development.

Since play has been incorporated into the kid’s curriculum, they’ve become more

energetic, active and full of zeal. It has led to an effective motor skill acquisition and it was seen that children could easily target the ball, throw it at a certain place and had escalated learning. Having a well-structured playtime on Mondays led to an increase in attendance on the same. Children expect something new and exciting on the day of Go Alpha, motivating them to go to school after a two-day break every week.

Structured play is an extension of the classroom itself; a certified trainer teaches the kids in the form of well organised and clear instructions which in turn are received and acted upon as broken-down steps. This is not only limited to fields but also is applied by kids in seated academics, thereby giving it the name applied learning. These are actually transferable skills which are carried on further, in life.

The school performs an organic role by being connected to the parents, happily sharing their kids progress and at the same time being open to feedback. Parents have different preferences when it comes to choosing a preschool. It is seen that they are happy if the school has a space for kids to play and recreate. In addition to this, when it is revealed to them that play itself has a curriculum
attached to it, they are able to trace its lessons and objectives.

Initially, the parents were hinted at new activities at school as their kids were getting better every day, but they only saw an actual demonstration of it on the Sports day. When the children showcased their learnings from the past, the results were clearly visible. The Sports Day was a monumental success. It is therefore seen that play is slowly gaining its synchronicity with children due to the continuous efforts of some individuals taking it to higher levels.

– Aditya Singh

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