Building Futures: The Crucial Role of Early Years Education

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes, 48 seconds. Contains 760 words

Quite often, people have negative notions toward play and toys for young minds. However, research points out that those two factors play a key role in raising self-confident, creative, and happy children.

Children are like canvases; untouched – awaiting a brush stroke of knowledge, empathy, and creativity. What children have learned during the early stage of their life can affect their behaviours, physical conditions, and social and linguistic skills in the long term of their lives. This is where playing comes into the picture as a medium, creating a microcosm of the world to encourage children to explore, discover, and develop their abilities in the process.

Playing for children is an intrinsically motivated activity and is usually spontaneous. Alongside toys that are developed to serve educational purposes, play encourages child development and facilitates learning in different areas.

Cognitive Development

Learning and thinking abilities are significantly developed during the early stage of children. While educational tools that allow children to experience textile exploration and learn their surroundings which foster sensory development, jigsaw puzzles and games can improve their understanding and problem-solving skills whether played alone or with others.

Jigsaw/Puzzles

ABC Alphabet 78 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle by EYR is a great focal point to start discussion,

and boost creative language and storytelling.

Puzzle Globe by Findel encourages an interest in geography from an early age as little hands fit

and remove the colourful continents to the earth.

Sand and Water

27 Piece Water Play Tool Set by YPO is packed with a great selection of water

tools that allow young children to expand and experience more water activities.

Big River And Roads Water Play Table by Findel is a unique,

in & out shaped table kids and their friends play and collaborate.

SEN

Bag of Buddies Set 2 by KCS gives a child something

to talk through which helps unlock their emotions.

Emotion Stones Pack by KCS contains 12 common emotion stones for

kids and their peers to exchange and express their feelings.

Emotional Development

Through games and toys, children engage in imaginative play that allows them to step into different roles and scenarios. This type of play encourages social interaction and communication with peers, siblings, or adults, helping children develop important social skills such as cooperation, negotiation, and empathy.

Roleplay

Truck and Trailer by EYR fits in perfectly to any outdoor space,

creating endless amounts of construction and imaginative play fun!

Pretend House Bricks by YPO are easy for small hands to transport around your setting making them ideal for play indoors or out, and will make children feel like real little builders!

Small World

Bigjigs Toys Mini Hospital Playset by Findel will encourage children

to talk about the role and importance of nurses and doctors within the community.

3D Activity Play Rug by EYR is made from a thick, wool-like pile with various

realistic woven images that provide an activity area for endless hours of creative, imaginary play.

Linguistic

When children engage in play with their peers, they naturally encounter and learn the intricate nuances of language. Observation, imitation, and practice are proven methods that children employ to learn language effectively. They observe others, imitate language patterns, and practice until they master communication skills. Creating language-rich environments supports this natural learning process. Establishing mutual communication with children has been shown to significantly enhance their linguistic skills, leading to faster and more effective language development.

Literacy

ABC Cookies by YPO is ideal for reinforcing the alphabet,

letter recognition, beginning sounds, C-V-C word building and early vocabulary.

Alphabet Alligators by EYR are plastic, colour printed alligators

that encourage children to match the uppercase and lowercase letters together.

Physical

Participating in physical activities such as walking, running, and jumping is crucial for children's physical development. These movements strengthen muscles and improve motor coordination, which are essential for their overall well-being. Research indicates that children are typically more active when they engage in outdoor play, thus benefiting from exposure to sunlight and Vitamin D, which supports bone health and immune function.

Activate Playtime Mix by EYR provides an extensive range of activities which will motivate children by providing a range of exciting equipment suitable for all skill levels and in sufficient quantity to enable all to participate.

BUILD N' BALANCE, Advance Set by KCS is an exciting and

challenging balancing system with elements that can be combined in countless ways.

Overall, play is not merely a pastime for children; it constitutes a crucial component of early years education that fosters holistic development. Through play, children naturally develop executive functioning skills and prepare themselves for the challenges of life ahead. The magic of childhood lies in the freedom to play, explore, and learn, rendering it one of the most beautiful aspects of growing up.

For more exciting early years resources, check out our entire range here.