One of the most rewarding things as a teacher is observing the students learning as they play and developing their different skills by doing so. Helping them along their journey is part of the fun for everyone! Everything the Nursery and Pre-Reception students do during their day’s activities contribute to their over-all development. Children learn creativity, confidence, problem solving, perseverance, focus, dedication, collaboration and accountability through art. Sensory play also contributes in crucial ways to brain development. Stimulating the senses sends signals to the children’s brains that helps to strengthen neural pathways important for all types of learning. Children learn through doing. Art is an important part of a child’s world. It’s not only a way for children to express themselves, but it also helps them develop their fine–motor skills. The process during creative activities is more important than the final product. Small–muscle control is needed in order to cut with scissors, paint with a brush and colour with crayons. Creating these works of art builds a child’s self-esteem. The finished product, displayed on the refrigerator or wall, validates a child’s sense of worth. Another very important activity during our day is building puzzles. Puzzles develop a child’s abstract thinking ability as they must be able to see a space and visualize what belongs in that space. Fine-motor coordination is developed when fitting the pieces into place. Fine-motor control is developed by playing with a variety of toys such as big and small Legos, wooden blocks, pegboards, beads to thread, play dough etc. These manipulative toys help develop a child’s fine motor skills, which is a precursor to being able to write. I hope you see play differently, through the eyes of a teacher and the importance of it! Cindy Nunan Nursery and Pre-Reception Teacher - IES Blouberg International School
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