Physical, constructional, social and ‘pretend’ play also supports children in their skills of intellectual and emotional self-regulation: skills that have been shown to be crucial in early learning and development.
You can teach a child of 3 or 4 reading and writing, but at what cost to the development of other foundational skills. Discovering the beauty and wonder of an autumn garden with a friend provides opportunities for learning that is broad, dynamic and inter-connected. In the world of our under-sevens, play and learning are one.