Play in the Classroom

Sharon Schneider

Play has long been recognized as a critical component of childhood. Within the confines of the classroom, play is also a medium for the child's learning and development. This factor has lead many educational theorists to advocate for play throughout the curriculum in the content areas of mathematics, science, language and literacy, social studies, art, music, and movement. Play-related activities that are appropriate for young children in mathematics most often focus on the child's learning symmetry, pattern recognition, sorting, counting, number value, calculating, measuring, and problem-solving. Math concepts are practiced during dramatic play as children take on roles at math learning centers. Children can find great joy while counting, calculating, and using coupons at an imaginary grocery store. Other common activities include using play money to pay for imaginary gasoline pumped into play vehicles. Weighing and measuring packages, calculating postage costs, exchanging money, and sorting mail are also customary at ...

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