# data[].attributes.headline
All my children do is play? When are they going to do some real learning?

# data[].attributes.subject
All my children do is play? When are they going to do some real learning?

# data[].attributes.body
Your children are doing some real learning! This is what numerous studies and papers submitted by theorists and experts. We as educators believe after consulting this research that play is the most effective from of learning for your children. In all preschool settings in Ireland, we follow the Aistear curriculum and Silota practice guides. This is what both Aistear and Siolta are telling us.

# data[].attributes.headline
"Play is the highest form of research"- Albert Einstein.

# data[].attributes.subject
"Play is the highest form of research"- Albert Einstein.

# data[].attributes.body
This quote from the great Albert Einstein demonstrates why we as educators feel that play is the most important way in which your children learn.

# data[].attributes.body
When your children play, it is not as simple as them placing a block on top of another block. Children are grasping the concept of shapes-width, height, and balance. Children are interacting with the environment that is around them, and are engaging with the materials in the environment around them.

# data[].attributes.body
There are two main types of play found in many early educational settings. Free play and structured play.

Firstly with free play, we as educators provide the equipment for the children to play but do not engage or direct the play. In free play, children dictate the direction of their play. Children have the choice as to what they would like to play with, and it is believed from there that children learn more from this as the children are doing something that actually interests them rather than an activity designed by an adult.

In structured play, the activity is adult let as opposed to free play. This structured play can be difficult for adults to find the right balance in which they need to keep your child interested, along with ensuring that the activity is suitable for their level of skills and knowledge. For example, constructing a model of the Eiffel tower out of blocks is something that is out of the child's skills level and is not beneficial for the children, but seeing who can make the largest tower out of Lego blocks is be more achievable and beneficial for your children.
Children's interests must also be recognized and followed, we cannot expect children to enjoy creating a zoo if we have not seen children engage with animals in the past and allow their interest to be piqued. Interests can be seen during a time called circle time which allows children to have a chat with the teacher and each other. This can be about any topic the teacher may believe that the children are interested in. Children can then take off the topic of conversation from there and this allows us as educators to gain an insight into what your children's interests are.

# data[].attributes.headline
What can we as educators do to help enhance your children's play and learning.

# data[].attributes.subject
What can we as educators do to help enhance your children's play and learning.

# data[].attributes.body
Many educators have different stances and beliefs on this topic, some educators believe in supporting children's learning by using Lev Vygotsky's theory of scaffolding the children's learning. This is a term used when the child uses an adult to help children overcome problems in play. This can be something like demonstrating or modeling different ideas and thoughts to the children and allowing them to obtain this information and use this information to enhance their play and in turn their learning. For example, an educator may observe the child's play and ask them questions to gauge the child's understanding. this may lead to the educator demonstrating something to the child and allows the educator to them further observe the child's play and repeat these steps if necessary. We try to create a rich environment

# data[].attributes.body
Have a look for yourself and have a conversation with your child's educator and hear their beliefs and thoughts on your child's play.  We as educators want you involved and want to hear your thoughts and concerns, parental involvement is key in the link between home and preschool.
Some Key theorists to take a look at:
Lev Vygotsky.
Jean Piaget.
Jean Jacques Rousseau.
Have a read of the Early childhood curriculum Aistear.