Lacy's Informative Speech
Channel: Lacy Smay
Date: 16/12/2016

Play is a Learning Tool
Introduction
 It happens every year in my preschool classroom. I have a parent say something like, “How can my child learn anything if the majority of the day is playing?” Many people have this same thought about play. But play is so much more than just aimlessly wondering around dumping toys out. It’s about children having the opportunity through a well prepared environment to explore, examine, question, predict, test, investigate, and manipulate.  I’m going to help you understand how play is a learning tool. I will explain what play is, the types of play, and the benefits of play. So will your child learn when the majority of the day is playing? 
Body
I. What is Play?
A. Maria Montessori says “Play is the work of the child”
B. Described as an activity that is fun and engaging for the player. Play is freely chosen by the player, although play opportunities may be provided by others. (Early Head Start National Resource Center, 2014)
C. Play is for recreation, amusement, or fun.
a.  Involves activities based on their current interests
D. Play is what children do and their way of life. (Butler, n.d.)
a. engage and interact in the world around them.
E. Play is a major part of child development 
a. Social, emotional, physical, language, and intellectual development
II. Types of Play
A. Active/physical play
a. Gross motor skills
1. Running, walking, jumping, skipping, climbing, throwing, balancing, pushing, etc. (Decker, 2011)
B. Manipulative/constructive play
a. Fine motor skills
1. Puzzles, block building, woodworking, art, bead stringing, peg boards, etc. (Decker, 2011)
C. Imitative/imaginative play
a. Dramatic play
1. Role playing, dress-up, play kitchen, house, etc. 
D. Logic play
a. Mental play
1. Sports, table games, object puzzles, word problems, etc. (Decker, 2011)
2. Most seen in older children
III. Benefits of Play
A. Physical
a.  Large muscles
1. Coordination improved
b. Heart and immune system are strengthened
c. Weight control
d. Stress reduced
e. Small motor
1. Pouring water, stringing beads, play dough (Decker, 2011)
B. Intellectual
a. Cause and effect
b. Memory 
c. Logical concepts
1. Classify objects
i. Setting up objects for pretend paly
ii. Sort by size while playing with nesting cups
2. Number concepts form when adding blocks makes a tower taller of train longer 
3. Problem solve 
i. Does this block fit here?
ii. How can I pour the sand in this narrow opening without spilling?
iii. Pouring objects from one container to another
iv. I got this stuck, how can I get it out?
v. What to do when there’s only one toy and many want to paly with it?
vi. Reasoning,  hypothesizing, predicting, theorizing, and so forth. (Stewart, 2012)
d. Language 
1. Tell stories to peers
2. Tell others their needs
i. “I want to play with the ball.”
ii. “You hurt my feelings.”
iii. “Lets pretend this is a rocket ship!”
iv. New words when playing with others
3. Adults ask open ended question
i. “Where is your car going?
ii. “What do you think happens next” (Hildebrand, 2007)
C. Social/Emotional
a. Concepts of rules, rights and property, sharing, and settling disputes. (Hildebrand, 2007)
b. Build relationships with peers and adults
1. Trust
c. Teamwork skills and being a leaded
1. Belong to a group and part of a team
d. Self-control
1. Acceptable and unacceptable behavior
2. Appropriate ways to express emotion
e. Self-confidence
1. Through adult support
i. Praise or recognition from adult
ii. Building the tower without it falling
f.  Begin to be aware of the differences of those around them.
g. Self-sufficiency
Conclusion
In conclusion, by thinking about what play is, the types of play, and the benefits of play, you have a better understanding of how play is a learning tool. Play addresses all domains of development; physical, intellectual, social/emotional, as well as language. With so much involved in play, it’s a wonderful tool for learning that kids will never suspect.  


























Works Cited
Butler, S. Learning Through Play. Retrieved December 11, 2016, from Earlychildhood NEWS, http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=591
Decker, C. A. (2011). Child development: Early stages through age 12, seventh edition: Student workbook (7th ed.). Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Wilcox Publisher.
Early Head Start National Resource Center. (2014). News you can use: Play. Retrieved December 11, 2016, from Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center, https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/ehsnrc/cde/curriculum/play_news_you.htm
Hildebrand, V. (2007). Parenting: Rewards & responsibilities, student edition (8th ed.). New York: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.
Stewart, D. J. (2012, July 26). The power of play in the early learning environment. Retrieved December 11, 2016, from Teach Preschool, http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/07/26/the-power-of-play-in-the-learning-environment/