Learning through play

Children learn and understand concepts and emotions better through play.  Playing is how they learn, it comes naturally to them.  Sometimes it might not look like much is happening, but playing develops their brains and allows children to use all their senses - hearing, seeing, tasting, touching, smelling.  Playing also allows children to move, which stimulates their motor skills. 

It can be confusing to keep up with all that is needed for your child to develop and grow at school.
Here are some tips to help you to help your child:

• If you are unsure of the concepts yourself ask the teacher to show you – remember the teacher works with these concepts on a daily basis.
• If you are unsure of how to teach or reinforce concepts at home, ask the teacher for tips, methods or recommendations.

The Parent

The first step as a parent is realising that your child is not an independent learner during Foundation Phase. This implies that your child needs to be taught and helped in their learning.
The second step is to realise that your role is to teach, guide and assist your child in their educational, physical, emotional and social development. This role is critical to your child’s growth; your child cannot progress positively without your help.