Curriculum Theory
We are a play-based school that also values educational skills. Play-based education is defined by Susan Wallace ((2015). play-based learning. In Wallace, S. (Ed.), A Dictionary of Education.: Oxford University Press.) as, “Primary Schooling Pedagogy in which children learn through play, using these activities to help them to make sense of their world, build social skills and develop the acquisition of specific cognitive skills such as language and numbers. Play-based learning also allows children to experience and learn to cope with challenges and frustrations. It is thought that positive play can improve the child’s potential for wider learning.”
The importance of play-based learning cannot be underestimated. Children use play to explore and practice a wide-variety of skills. We can best describe this through an example of children playing with blocks. Within block play, children are learning math skills as well as practicing social skills and a wide variety of language, reasoning, and gross-motor skills.
These socials skills involve turn-taking, communicating, listening to friends, incorporating new ideas into the play, and handling other types of conversation with peers. These are all part of practice being in a group setting. The play continues during cleanup. As they laugh and talk, they are figuring out where to put each block in the shelf based on shapes, practicing rule following and matching the patterns set up for them. At this time, we see continued use of math skills.
At PlayTogether, children are given the freedom to explore and learn at their own pace.
Nyla Kamlet, L.C.S.W.
Director
Personal Development Plan
Once a child is enrolled in our school, PlayTogether NYC, Director Nyla Kamlet creates a plan to attain educational, social and behavioral goals that support healthy functioning in all aspects of life. Nyla reviews each child’s plan and progress with parents on a regular basis. Each plan is unique to help them accomplish their individual goals.
Language Development
Language is an integral part of PlayTogether NYC, and learning to listen and follow directions is crucial for young children. Circle time helps children extend their attention span through the use of singing and music. Rhyming songs are a fun way for children to learn sound recognition and build memory skills. Children are asked to speak in front of a group and practice leadership skills. The staff also teach specific vocabulary such as “being flexible,” and emphasize social phrases, for example, “Stop, I do not like that."
Art
Students participate in art projects every day to allow for creative exploration promoting sensory integration, fine motor skills and visual perceptual skills. These are all pre-reading skills that we target in a fun and exciting way. This is an integral part of our program. Children gain tremendous self-esteem through their production of art.
Pretend and Creative Play
At PlayTogether NYC, pretend and creative play are core components of our curriculum. Guided scenarios give children a backdrop to exercise their creativity and spontaneous expression. “Make-believe” games promote the development of interactive and motor skills. Children love this aspect of the program, and often use our creative scenarios during their free time. This strengthens their social bonds and allows for more sophisticated learning. An example of this is playing “fire people”. Students line up their chairs and take a toy hose. They "play out" dressing to fight a fire, loading the fire truck, and extinguishing the fire, all with props. Children practice taking turns by playing different roles.
Social Skills Development & Group Play
Group play provides a context for children to practice and experience social learning and communication. Learning to communicate fosters children's confidence in their own abilities. Staff joins the children as they play, in order to teach social skills in real life situations.
Music / Movement
Our music classes focus on music experience, appreciation and active enjoyment. In a fun and playful atmosphere children are introduced to musical language, theory, instrument playing and song. We play percussion instruments and glockenspiels, and we sing and dance. During the lessons children learn musical games, rhythmic movement, eurhythmics and pitch retention. We play music from the moment our children walk through the door. Daily activities include singing and movement to music.