Why is observing a child's play behavior important?

Young children explore the world through play. Early childhood educators know that play is actually a young child's job. Play is the natural place to observe a child's abilities because it allows you to see what the child already knows and how he or she uses that knowledge. Most importantly, however, a child is internally wired and motivated to play. As all parents and teachers know, young children are naturally active and have short attention spans. Most young children are unable to sit still for even fifteen minutes at a time. This inability to sit still makes direct instruction an ineffective way to observe young children and teach new skills.

Young children learn best by imitating a new task and practicing it in a fun, non-judgmental setting. When they observe children playing, teachers can see a child's physical and intellectual abilities in use. A great online resource provides activities, stories, games, and materials suggestions for you to enjoy with your class. These play activities help you create different experiences and plan classroom centers that focus on specific age-appropriate behaviors. During play, children use accumulated knowledge in new ways, learn new information about the world, and practice emerging skills. All you need to do is set out the right materials, ask a few key questions, share the fun, and watch.