COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Cognitive Development

Cognitive Development

Answer 1

Recognizing that play in early childhood has a significant role in the social, physical, and cognitive development of a child is crucial. Recently, there has been a shift even on the preschool level to reduce playtime and to increase organized academic learning. While at first glance, this may appear to be a positive step; it is in fact detrimental to healthy child development.

Children who are provided with ample time to engage in self-directed play benefit in a variety of ways. Child driven play in early childhood promotes the well being of the child; it contributes to the cognitive, social, emotional and physical development of the child. (DeLoache 2006)

The role of play in learning should not be underestimated. Through play a child will acquire many of the necessary skills that will subsequently be used for successful learning. Included among the skills that a child develops and strengthens through play are language development, problem solving, negotiating, and sequencing skills.

Play helps to enhance a child's readiness for more formalized learning. Through play in early childhood, a child strengthens his/her language development. Play presents a child with many opportunities for oral communication. This early language development will in turn benefit children as they later learn to read and write.

Additionally, play presents children with many problem-solving opportunities. Through such activities as building with blocks, playing with water and sand, doing puzzles, or constructing and designing their imaginative play area, children must employ critical thinking skills. (Goldin 2001)

While it can not be measured readily by tests, it is vital to recognize that play, which is primarily child directed, encourages and strengthens a child's curiosity about his/ her world. This heightened curiosity is a catalyst for further learning. When children are free to pursue areas of interest, they are more likely to develop a positive attitude towards learning.

Through play children are presented with many opportunities, which will enhance their social and emotional development. Play provides children with the chance to interact with their surrounding environment; this allows children to begin to make sense of their world.

Play also encourages interaction between children. By communicating with other children, a child begins to understand the importance of communicating through language. As children socialize in play, they will learn to express their ideas and to listen to the ideas expressed by others.

Play also provides children with situations that will foster cooperation. They will discover the benefits of working together and of sharing available play materials. Through play a child learns to solve conflicts and to negotiate with others.

When a child experiences socially and emotionally healthy child development, they are better equipped to adjust to the school setting. As a result, socially well-adjusted children are more likely to achieve academic success in school.

When left to their own resources, children gravitate towards physical activity. Hence children who engage in play that is primarily child driven tend to incorporate a wide range of physical activity into their play. Active play results in physically fit young children; physical fitness is one of ...