As children play they explore and discover new things; they develop theories, test them out and come to new understandings. These experiences have an essential role in the development of thinking skills, problem solving, investigation, and inquiry. Through play, the children learn the skills that are necessary to be a successful, independent learner.
The environment in the ELC, both inside and outside, is designed to invite inquiry, curiosity, and opportunities to explore. The children have time to develop relationships with space, the materials, and with each other. These relationships influence the ways children play and the types of learning they are exploring through their play. For example, playing in the block area is likely to foster mathematical or scientific play that involves gaining an understanding of the shapes of blocks, how they connect together, how to create a balanced structure and how to solve problems.