Play is central to a child’s learning.
“Discovery is far more than a means to livelihood, far more than a spice of life. Discovery is the ultimate of human achievement. Discovery is thrill, excitement and euphoria. Discovery is the difference between victory and defeat between satisfaction and disappointment, between success and failure. Discovery is the prime goal of every true research scientist, every explorer of the great unknown.”
– from The Art Of Discovery, by J Oliver
Play is the opportunity to discover and is consequently central to a child’s learning. It contributes to development of feelings, ideas and imagination, relationships, abstract ways of thinking including the moral and spiritual self.
As such, at BuzyBees we recognise the importance of giving children the time to play and it is, in fact, one of the strengths of the Montessori method that children explore their environment independently and progress at their own speed. The specialised Montessori materials are designed to encourage children’s natural curiosity and to allow them steady progress. Thus, as they play in our nursery, carefully and gently guided by our staff, you will find that your children are not only having fun but learning as well.
Educationalists now recognise the prime importance of play for children’s development. Indeed, some researchers believe that play and laughter actually “fertilise” the brain. Play is also believed to be very important as an antidote to “over-occupied” childhoods, where children take on too many formal organised activities (ballet, football, rugby, learning new language, etc) to leave enough time for playing.