What Play Based Learning Activities Do We Encourage?

At Blue Nest Montessori School, we firmly believe that play is not just fun – it's a fundamental pathway to learning and development. Our approach to early childhood education is deeply rooted in providing a stimulating environment where children can explore, discover and grow through engaging play based learning activities.

We understand that these experiences lay a crucial foundation for future academic success and foster a lifelong love of learning, which is why it’s a cornerstone of our early childhood daycare provision.

Exploring the World Through Sensory Play

Sensory play is vital for young children as it helps them understand the world around them through touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. We encourage activities such as:

●      Water play: Providing opportunities to pour, measure and explore the properties of water.

●      Sand play: Allowing children to build, dig and create different textures and shapes.

●      Nature exploration: Engaging with natural materials like leaves, twigs and stones, fostering curiosity and observation skills.

●      Messy play: Offering experiences with paint, playdough and other materials that encourage tactile exploration and creativity.

These activities stimulate their senses, develop fine motor skills and encourage scientific thinking as they experiment and observe cause and effect.

Fostering Imagination Through Pretend Play

Imaginative play is crucial for developing social skills, language and emotional understanding. Our nurseries provide rich environments that encourage:

●      Role-playing: Providing dressing-up clothes, props and designated areas like home corners or shops to act out different scenarios.

●      Small world play: Using miniature figures and vehicles to create imaginative stories and explore different roles and relationships.

●      Storytelling and puppetry: Encouraging children to create and share their own narratives, enhancing their language development and communication skills.

Through these play based learning activities, children learn to cooperate, negotiate and express themselves creatively.

Building Skills Through Construction and Problem Solving

Activities that involve building and problem-solving help develop spatial reasoning, critical thinking and fine motor skills. We encourage:

●      Block play: Providing a variety of blocks for children to construct towers, buildings and imaginative structures.

●      Jigsaw puzzles and shape sorters: Developing problem-solving skills and spatial awareness.

●      Construction toys: Offering opportunities to build and take apart, fostering creativity and engineering skills.

These activities encourage children to experiment, persevere and develop a sense of accomplishment.

Language and Literacy Through Play

Language development and literacy skills are woven into many of our play based learning activities. We encourage:

●      Story time and reading aloud: Exposing children to a rich variety of language and fostering a love of books.

●      Rhyming games and songs: Developing phonological awareness and language patterns.

●      Mark-making and early writing: Providing opportunities for children to experiment with pencils, crayons and other tools to express themselves.

Our nurturing environment supports children's communication skills and lays the foundation for future literacy success.

Get in Touch

At Blue Nest Montessori School, our dedicated team understands the vital role of play based learning activities in early childhood education. We are committed to providing a stimulating and supportive environment where your child can thrive.

Ready to see the power of play in action? Get in touch with us today to learn more about our approach and how we nurture young learners in Harrow, Borehamwood and Pinner.