The Importance of Play

"Knowledge arises neither from the objects nor the child, but from interactions between the child and those objects." –Jean Piaget

The value of play is vast.  Children learn by playing.  Playing is a way for children to have personal experience and helps them to physically see how things work.  There are so many domains that children can develop and learn through play. Jeffery Tarwick-Smith states play as “an arena where children learn new skills and practice old ones, both physical and social. Through play they challenge themselves to new levels of mastery. They gain competence in all areas of development-increasing language, social skills, and physical skills…” This means that not only are children able to develop their physical skills by playing, they are also learning social and language skills such as working together, communicating, stretching their minds by using their imaginations, and problem solving. He also states that “Children at play are active explorers of the environment as they create their own experience and grow to understand it.”

Below I have included some videos to show the importance of play in the classroom.

The Importance of Play - Video 1


The Importance of Play - Video 2

Pennsylvania State Codes

When it comes to opening and running a toddler classroom, there are many Health and Safety requirements that have to be met.  I have gathered some basic Health and Safety requirements from The Pennsylvania Code for Child Day Care Centers to assist teachers who are opening a new room and also to help teachers keep their rooms up to code.

·  Measurement of play space needed

·  40 square feet per infant

·  50 square feet per young and old toddler

·  65 square feet per child

·  Protective covers must be placed in electrical outlets

·  Cleaning materials should be kept out of reach of children

·  Trash needs to be removed at least once a day

·  The indoor temperature must be kept between 65° and 82°

·  Numbers of the nearest hospital, police department, fire department, ambulance and poison control center should be posted by each telephone in the facility.

·  First-aid kit containing soap, an assortment of adhesive bandages, sterile gauze pads, tweezers, tape, scissors and disposable, nonporous gloves should be kept in every room but out of the reach of children.

·  Toys and objects with less than a 1 inch diameter are not permitted

·  A facility must have a refrigerator

·  A written plan of all activities that promote development of skills, social competence and self-esteem should be listed.

·  Children must be placed at least 2 feet away from each other when sleeping

·  The correct amount of toilets a sinks must be provided:

Student to Teacher Ratios

Student to teacher ratios in the classroom are very important for being able to not only control the class, but also control every child's learning.  The following numbers are the ratios for all age groups in a daycare:

“When children are grouped in mixed age levels, the age of the youngest child in the group determines the staff:child ratio and maximum group size.”

When children are sleeping, the student to teacher ratio changes:

Materials for Your Classroom

The first necessity of creating your classroom is getting the right age appropriate materials to help students to learn and develop.  The materials that a teacher or school supplies greatly affects how a student learns.  When a student has access to numerous kinds of materials, their learning is endless.  Below I have created lists of important materials to help toddlers develop in all domains.

Dramatic Play

Dolls, tools, puppets, cars, trains, airplanes, construction vehicles, train tacks and kitchen.

Science/Math
Number books, numbered foam mats, plants & class pet

Library/Reading
Touch and feel books, Storytelling puppets, Books in Different Languages.

Blocks
Easy building bricks & large legos

Writing & Language
Alphabet books, labels on the doors, walls, windows, etc.

Art
Paint, crayons, washable markers, paper, stamps, paintbrushes, smocks, scissors, glue & tape

Music
CDs, drum, tamborine, maracas, bells, piano, xylophone

Sensory
Colorful blocks & balls, mirrors, bubble machine, play carpet

Gross Motor
Bikes, balls, parachute, walkers, hold a ring walking rope

Manipulatives
Puzzles, shape fitters, bead maze

Quiet, Cozy Area
blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, stuffed animals, pack and plays, small carpet mats

Other Needed Materials
Strollers, high chairs, changing table, shelves, cubbies.