At Fireflies Early Learning in Cooroy, play is at the heart of everything we do. While it may look like simple fun, play is actually the most effective way for young children to learn. It’s through play that they explore ideas, build social connections, and develop the skills they’ll carry into formal education and beyond.
Play-based learning supports:
- Cognitive growth – Through problem-solving, experimentation, and inquiry.
- Language development – As children talk, negotiate, and explain during roleplay or games.
- Emotional regulation – As they navigate challenges, take turns, and manage frustration.
- Physical development – Through movement, balance, and fine motor activities.
For example, a child playing with blocks isn’t just stacking shapes—they’re learning about balance, cause and effect, spatial awareness, and perseverance. Similarly, when children engage in pretend play, they practise storytelling, empathy, and complex communication.
At Fireflies Early Learning in Cooroy, our educators scaffold this learning by:
- Asking open-ended questions like “What might happen next?”
- Introducing new vocabulary and concepts through play
- Observing and extending children’s interests in meaningful ways
Book Week provides a wonderful opportunity to extend learning through play. After reading a story, we might encourage children to build a scene from the book, act it out with friends, or draw an alternative ending.
In short, play is never “just” play—it’s purposeful, enriching, and absolutely essential.
📚 Sources:
Early Childhood Australia – Play-Based Learning
UNICEF – Learning Through Play