Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 21, 2018 (SKNIS): Some of the valuable lessons learnt by children through play were highlighted on Wednesday’s (June 20) edition of the radio and television programme “Working for You” by officials from the Early Childhood Development Unit (ECDU), who reminded parents that having fun is also instrumental to a child’s progress through life.
“Learning through play is what we promote within our environment,” said Julianna Powell, a resource teacher at the ECDU located in Basseterre. “What some of the skills are when the children are playing [are] … how to share.”
The staff encourages the children, zero to eight years-old, to share toys, books, fruits, snacks and others during the eight hours per weekday that they regularly spend in the care of the teachers. Another lesson is putting things back where they are taken from.
“If they are working in the block area what we do [is] we have pictures in the block area. If we have a shape of a triangle block they know, okay, when I am finished that goes back there.” Ms. Powell explained.
It’s not just the blocks, however, as every curious expression is used for early childhood stimulation.
“They can be outside playing and just [become] fascinated with this object they see outside and from that you can just produce a lesson for them and they will learn,” Resource Teacher, Nadine Natta, said in support of her colleague.
A compassionate spirit is also nurtured through fun and games at the ECDU centre as children often show care and concern for other children as well as for teachers and other staff.
The childcare and education officials added that these lessons all contribute to the physical, cognitive, social, emotional and psychological development of the children.
