The Role of Play in Early Childhood Development at Sunny Days Preschool

Introduction

To a casual observer, a preschool classroom full of children playing might not seem like “real learning.” But in fact, play is one of the most powerful tools for childhood development. At https://www.sunnydayspreschool.sg/, we believe that purposeful play builds the foundation for a child’s lifelong success.

Play helps children develop cognitive skills, language abilities, social confidence, creativity, and emotional resilience—all essential for growth and future learning. At Sunny Days Preschool Singapore, we don’t just allow play—we design our entire programme around it.

This article explores the different types of play and how Sunny Days Preschool uses them strategically to support holistic development.

1. Understanding Why Play Matters in Early Childhood

Before diving into the types of play, it’s important to understand why play is crucial. Play is not a break from learning; it is learning. Through play, children:

• Explore cause and effect

• Develop fine and gross motor skills

• Express emotions and process experiences

• Practice language and communication

• Build problem-solving and collaboration skills

• Boost creativity and imagination

At Sunny Days Preschool Singapore, play is embedded into every aspect of the curriculum, ensuring children are constantly growing in a natural, enjoyable way.

• Backlink: Learn about our approach to learning through play at https://www.sunnydayspreschool.sg/

2. Types of Play at Sunny Days Preschool

a) Sensory Play

Children learn best when their senses are engaged. Sensory play involves activities that stimulate touch, smell, taste, sight, and hearing. At Sunny Days, this might include:

• Playing with water tables

• Moulding playdough or clay

• Exploring textures like sand, rice, and beans

• Mixing colours during art projects

• Smelling herbs and flowers in the school garden

Sensory play supports language development, fine motor skills, and cognitive growth. It also helps children self-regulate and calm down when overstimulated.

b) Constructive Play

Constructive play involves building, designing, or creating something. It encourages:

• Hand-eye coordination

• Spatial awareness

• Problem-solving

• Planning and execution

In our classrooms, you’ll find children building towers from blocks, creating patterns with manipulatives, or piecing together puzzles. These activities develop perseverance and a sense of accomplishment.

c) Pretend Play (Dramatic Play)

Pretend play is vital for imagination and emotional development. Children take on different roles and act out stories or real-life situations, which helps them understand the world around them.

Our dramatic play corners are often set up as:

• Grocery stores

• Doctor’s clinics

• Family kitchens

• Space stations

• Storybook scenes

Teachers observe and gently guide children’s interactions to promote vocabulary use, empathy, and narrative thinking.

d) Physical Play

Movement is essential for young children. Gross motor play at Sunny Days includes:

• Outdoor playground time

• Obstacle courses

• Yoga and dance

• Ball games and beanbag tosses

These activities build coordination, strength, balance, and confidence. Children also learn to take turns and follow rules—important for school readiness.

e) Social Play

This includes activities that require cooperation, negotiation, and communication. Games, group projects, and collaborative art sessions all fall into this category.

Sunny Days Preschool Singapore emphasizes small-group interaction to:

• Build listening skills

• Encourage teamwork

• Foster leadership

• Promote patience and kindness

Teachers model and reinforce positive behaviours to help children navigate peer relationships.

3. How Teachers Facilitate Play-Based Learning

At Sunny Days, play is child-led but teacher-supported. Our educators take an intentional approach to play by:

• Observing each child’s interests

• Asking open-ended questions during play

• Introducing new vocabulary related to activities

• Providing materials to extend curiosity

• Encouraging reflection after play

For example, if children are building a zoo with blocks, the teacher might ask:
“Which animal needs the biggest space? Why do you think that is?”
This prompts critical thinking and language development without disrupting the play.

4. Integrating Play with Academic Goals

Play at Sunny Days isn’t random—it’s thoughtfully aligned with learning objectives. For instance:

• Literacy: Children might act out stories, use letter blocks, or “write” shopping lists during pretend play.

• Numeracy: Counting apples at a market corner, sorting beads by colour, or building symmetrical structures.

• Science: Mixing colours, exploring magnets, or observing plants grow in the school garden.

• Language: Learning through songs, rhymes, and storytelling in both English and Mandarin.

• Social-Emotional Learning: Group games that involve turn-taking, empathy-building stories, or emotion charades.

• Backlink: Learn more about our holistic curriculum at https://www.sunnydayspreschool.sg/

5. The Importance of Outdoor Play

Outdoor play is a daily essential at Sunny Days Preschool Singapore. Children engage in:

• Free play on climbing structures

• Nature walks and treasure hunts

• Gardening and watering plants

• Team games that build coordination and cooperation

Outdoor play boosts vitamin D, supports motor skills, and reduces stress levels. It also allows children to explore the natural world and develop environmental awareness.

6. Bilingual Learning Through Play

At Sunny Days, English and Mandarin are integrated into play naturally. For example:

• Singing Mandarin nursery rhymes during music time

• Using bilingual labels in classroom areas

• Reading books in both languages during story time

• Pretend play with items labeled in English and Mandarin

This approach helps children develop language skills without pressure, and enhances vocabulary retention in both languages.

• Backlink: Discover our bilingual programme at https://www.sunnydayspreschool.sg/

7. How Play Builds Confidence and Resilience

Children encounter small challenges during play—like building a tall tower that keeps falling, or negotiating who gets the red crayon. These moments help children:

• Try again after failure

• Think creatively to solve problems

• Express frustrations and bounce back

• Stand up for themselves or compromise

Sunny Days teachers support children through these challenges by providing encouragement and helping them build coping strategies.

8. Play and School Readiness

Parents often worry that too much play might delay academic readiness. But research shows that play-based learning actually enhances school readiness by:

• Improving attention span

• Building executive function skills (like memory, flexibility, and planning)

• Enhancing oral language and vocabulary

• Teaching children to follow rules and routines

At Sunny Days, our graduates enter Primary 1 not only with strong academic foundations but also with confidence, social skills, and a love of learning.

9. Parent Involvement in Play-Based Learning

Sunny Days encourages parents to extend the value of play at home. We provide:

• Home activity suggestions

• Parenting workshops on play and development

• Updates with photos and summaries of in-class play themes

Parents who understand the importance of play can support their child’s growth by allowing unstructured playtime and engaging in imaginative games at home.

10. Why Play Makes Learning Joyful

Most importantly, play makes learning fun. When children enjoy what they do, they:

• Retain information better

• Stay curious and motivated

• Feel proud of their achievements

• Develop a positive relationship with school

At Sunny Days Preschool Singapore, we create joyful learning experiences every day—because a happy child is a growing child.

Conclusion

Play is more than just fun—it’s a gateway to discovery, growth, and development. At https://www.sunnydayspreschool.sg/, we view play as the heart of early education. Whether it’s painting a rainbow, building a fort, or acting out a story, every activity is designed with purpose.

If you want your child to learn in a way that is engaging, meaningful, and joyful, Sunny Days Preschool Singapore is the ideal choice.

Visit https://www.sunnydayspreschool.sg/ to schedule a tour and see our play-based learning in action.