The Value of Play

I express myself and am creative.

I use my small muscles and develop hand-eye coordination.

I see cause and effect and the different properties of my materials.

I explore all different types of media.

I learn about shapes and sizes.

I learn how to follow a design in my head.

I have to explain my ideas and plans and cooperate.

I count, group, sort, classify, match and problem solve.

I learn many concepts and things I didn't know before.

I stretch my imagination, creativity and language development.

I learn that there are universal symbols that represent words–this will help me to learn to read and write.

Books take me to new places.

When I help take care of my classroom, I feel important and a part of things.

It teaches me responsibility and independence.

I like to know I can help.

When I play office or store or school, I practice my letters and writing skills.

I experience and explore the written word.

I see how the written word is part of my world.

I learn how to create something I have visualized in my head.

I work on my fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

I use math skills such as shape, size, contrast, comparing, spatial relationships and problem solving.

I feel very grown up.

I label, classify, compare, weigh and measure.

I learn the properties of things.

I ask: What is happening? What will happen next?

I start to understand a little about the world around me.

I learn about science concepts like the properties of things, and how they respond when I manipulate them.

I use my small muscles when I pour, sift, scoop and dig.

I expand my language development as I talk with my friends.

I find myself calm.

I am able to run and jump and yell and get all of my energy out.

I develop my large muscles, balance and coordination while I play.

The fresh air, sunshine, grass, trees and sky are good for me.

I get hands-on experience with mathematical concepts.

I count, sort, classify, match, measure, compare, group, judge.

I learn about amounts, proportions, shapes, sizes and quantities.

I learn 1-to-1 correspondence, problem solving and about special relationships.

I develop my muscles and coordination.

I learning about controlling my body, spatial concepts and work on my eye-hand coordination.

I measure, compare, count, classify and experience how properties of things change.

I role play, learning more about my world and different cultures.

I try on different roles to help me process and understand my world.

I develop my social skills and ability to play with others.

I am creative and use my imagination.

I explore concepts and relationships by acting them out.

I learn how to sit without bothering others, how to listen, wait my turn and how to follow directions.

I learn that I am part of a larger community.

Many educational concepts are introduced during group time.

I concentrate and develop my fine motor skills.

This is good practice as I will need these small muscles for holding a pencil when I learn to write.

When I finish, make or master something, I feel good about myself.

Music lets me be creative and express myself.

I develop an appreciation for the arts and the ability to be musical.

I learn listening skills and how to differentiate different sounds.

I use the part of my brain that also does math.