Niagara University’s College of Education and its Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement collaborated to introduce students to the power of play-based learning across all grade levels.
Using items such as wooden blocks, straws, popsicle sticks, cotton balls, magnetic tiles, and sensory items, Dr. Norline Wild, assistant professor of education, set up centers in the Levesque Institute where students in her EDU 236 Human Learning, Development, and Motivation Class discovered firsthand that play is both enjoyable as well as an effective way to develop skills in math, science, social studies, literacy, and technology.
After they played, the students reflected on their experience to connect it to the five characteristics of play, as articulated by the Lego Foundation: joyful, actively engaging, socially interactive, iterative, and meaningful. They also discussed ways they could use it to teach specific subject matter; for example, geometry could be taught using magnetic tiles, physics could be taught by creating ramps with blocks, and potato heads could be used to learn the names of body parts in different languages.
“Learning through play is something that many students will definitely enjoy and excel in,” said Olivia Lerose, a first-year student from Niagara Falls, Ontario, who added that she learned new approaches to teaching from this experience. “It will also keep them engaged and interested in the activities they are completing. It allows students to be creative, as well as work together to try new things.”
“These preservice students are excited to take this knowledge into their field experience placements and their future classrooms,” said Dr. Wild. “Their passion for innovative teaching practices is inspiring!”
