A Commitment to Play-Based Learning
At Thuthukani, play-based learning is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that by allowing our students to learn through play, we are helping them to reach their full potential and become confident, curious, and creative individuals. Our teachers and therapists have been trained in using play as a learning and teaching tool by local and international play experts.
Play-based learning is an important pedagogical approach that emphasises the importance of play in a child’s development and education. We are privileged at Thuthukani to have all our learning based in playfulness. The learners learn best through practical activities that are playful and enjoyable. The approach recognises that play is fun and also essential for child’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.
We are the proud owners of a Play-to-Learn Centre – donated by Bell Equipment.
It has 2 parts:-
- A doll’s house in a container classroom. It is equipped with a three quarter size kitchen, lounge, dining room and baby sleeping area, as well as all the appropriate toys.
- A fenced, outside area with roads, houses, shops, a play area with sand pit and a hospital. The children have blocks, wooden vehicles and other toys to play with and big black push bikes to ride.
All the children in the LSPID, Foundation and Intermediate Phase get an opportunity to play there on a rotational basis, and they absolutely love it.
Through play, the children develop dispositions that they will use throughout their lives. Eg. Concentration and attention, perseverance, resilience, problem solving, navigating social interactions, resolving conflict and regulating their emotions. It also helps children build skills such as teamwork, communication and collaboration.
By engaging in play, children develop important cognitive skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and decision making, as well as literacy and numeracy.
Play is an essential part of childhood. It is how children learn, develop and make sense of their world. Play allows children to experiment, take risks and explore their creativity.
Play – children’s wonderful world of work!