The Importance of Play:

Cultivating Curious Minds with a Play-Based Education at Holland International School

At Holland International School, we understand that playing together is an essential part of childhood development. One of the first psychologists to study the impact of play was Jean Piaget (1962) and the research has shown that it develops children physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally. Our programme is designed to incorporate both outdoor play and learning through play to provide a well-rounded, holistic and engaging educational experience for our students.

In this article, we will delve into the elements of play-based learning, its positive effects, and how Holland International School purposefully integrates play into its educational framework.

What is Play-Based Learning?

Why should play and learning be separate? A play-based educational approach recognises that play is a natural way for children to explore, interact and make sense of the world. Instead of rote learning and well-defined structured activities, play-based learning harnesses the innate curiosity and creativity of children and encourages them to explore the ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions about the world. It spurs children to experiment, explore and problem solve in original and ingenious ways. 

Play experiences involve a lot of highly sensory activities as well as imaginative play that contribute to physiological and holistic development. These are the five common elements in play-based learning:

1. Self-chosen

Children are given the autonomy and control to determine for themselves what play they would like to engage in and for how long. For this to happen, classrooms are adequately equipped with tools of play and children are free to explore and immerse in the process of self-discovery.

2. Enjoyable

Without a doubt, having fun is important in play and as children experiment and try out different forms of play unbound by clear and defined objectives, they come to better understand themselves and develop their interests in creative ways.

3. Unstructured

Without direct adult intervention, children are given free rein to play and in doing so, develop self-confidence as they learn to make mistakes, learn from them without an accompanying sense of failure, and come to learn things on their own terms.

4. Process-oriented

In play-based learning, the journey matters more. Focusing on the process allows children to dive deeper into their activities, driving them to learn more. Without a predetermined outcome or product of the activity, students are allowed a greater expression of their creativity.

5. Make-Believe

Pretend play encourages healthy social development and stimulates the imaginative powers of the learner. Role playing fosters creativity, empathy and builds social competence as children take on different roles and immerse themselves in different imaginative situations.

How Holland International School Integrates Play into Its Curriculum

Ply-based learning is woven into the curriculum at Holland International School for a balanced and enriching educational experience. Educators serve as facilitators, guiding children’s play experiences to achieve learning goals through exploratory experiences.

Some examples of play-based learning

Outdoor play and sensory activities

Our preschoolers engage in water play twice a week that helps stimulate their senses, allowing them to explore temperatures, sensations and various objects and concepts such as floating, sinking, pouring and mixing. Through water play, children naturally engage in scientific inquiry by making observations, formulating hypotheses and testing them. They also acquire social behaviours by sharing tools, taking turns, communicating effectively and engaging in cooperative play to achieve common goals.

Imaginative play through role-playing

Children immerse themselves in creative scenarios at Holland International School and through taking on different roles, they learn the behaviours associated with these roles. Through these playful experiences, children develop essential cognitive, social and emotional skills. As they enact different roles such as being on a bus, being a tourist in Japan, sailing the sea and more, they learn to navigate social situations, enhance their communication skills and explore new perspectives.

Our Philosophy

At the core of our philosophy is the belief that children learn best when they are happy, engaged, and active. Our focus on learning through play ensures that children develop a love for learning that will last a lifetime.

Families looking for an international school in Singapore will find that Holland International School offers a unique blend of play-based learning and academic excellence. Nestled in the greenery of Bukit Timah, our campus provides abundant opportunities for outdoor play, allowing students to be surrounded by nature. Additionally, our convenient bus services make it easy for parents to access our school.

For more information about our curriculum and program, schedule a visit with us here.