Why Choose a Daycare with Play-Based Learning? The Ducklings Difference

When you’re evaluating preschools to select the one that’s best for your child, there are many factors to consider. Did you know that play has been scientifically proven to be critical to early childhood development? That’s why a daycare with play-based learning integrated into its curriculum should be on the top of your list.

Read on to learn more about the value of learning through play, the types of activity that encourage important growth, and how Ducklings puts play to work throughout the day.

Why Is Play Important in Early Childhood?

While playtime should be fun by definition, it also packs a punch in delivering numerous benefits essential to a child’s development. According to the LEGO Foundation, play-based early learning should center on activities that bring joy, connect meaningfully to a child’s life, actively engage the child, promote experimentation and exploration, and are socially interactive.

These play-based, hands-on opportunities directly correlate with the growth of important physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and creative skills that will support life-long success. Children are born with a love of play, making it an ideal way to optimize early learning.

What Is Play-Based Learning?

A recent longitudinal study of 128 preschoolers revealed positive links between playtime and self-regulation, leading to the development of early prereading and math skills that support school readiness.

With the evidence clear about the benefits, it’s important to clarify what qualifies as play-based learning. By imposing structure around play, parents, teachers, and caregivers can provide children with the freedom to explore and learn at their own pace within safe parameters. Examples include:

Child-led play where a child selects from a set of activity options
Guided play where learning concepts are incorporated into an activity
Structured, adult-directed play such as group games
Adult-facilitated play where grownups are there to answer questions or make suggestions

Types of Play in Early Childhood

So what are some great ways to get kids involved in play-based learning? Here are some ideas to get you started.

Pretend Play: Role-playing—such as playing house or store, or reenacting a favorite story—provides multiple ways to expand imagination and promote language development.
Object Play: Building with blocks, creating structures, and sensory-focused exercises help kids develop spatial reasoning and strengthen gross and fine motor skills.
Physical Play: Movement games—from recess favorites like tag and hopscotch to running races and practicing basketball shots—support the development of gross motor skills, balance, eye-hand coordination, and overall physical health.
Artistic Play: Getting kids busy with arts and crafts gives them an outlet for self-expression and creativity and hones those fine motor skills.

How Ducklings Brings Play-Based Learning to Life

Our Play-Based Curriculum Approach

At Ducklings, we take a comprehensive approach to early childhood education, ensuring cognitive, social, and physical elements are incorporated throughout the day. We balance daily lessons with time outside, in the gym, and in our carefully curated library to keep educational milestones on track.

Our Here We Grow™ curriculum was designed based on research and our goal to inspire the age-appropriate growth and whole-child development of each child entrusted to our care.

Movement and Physical Play

As a central part of our proprietary curriculum, Ducklings designed its own Shake a Tail Feather curriculum® gross motor program to get kids actively moving and confidently exploring their world through physical play. Each of our centers contains expansive gymnasium space with activities that integrate seamlessly into our weekly themes, while outdoor play areas enable that all-important time in fresh air. Extracurricular activities, such as yoga, soccer, dance, and karate, are also available for kids looking to explore specific types of exercise.

Through these active learning opportunities, we support the development of balance, coordination, and physical strength, while fostering teamwork, self-confidence, and a lifelong love of physical activity.

The Ducklings Difference in Play-Based Learning

At Ducklings Early Learning Center, we’ve set ourselves apart through a personalized approach to quality childcare that leverages the importance of play-based learning to help prepare each of our Ducks for a bright future filled with endless possibilities. As an accredited daycare structured around proprietary curricula, we believe our play-based approach is central to the Ducklings Difference.

What to Look for in a Daycare with Play-Based Learning

Are you currently considering childcare options for your child? As part of your daycare evaluation, be sure to keep an eye out for these components to identify quality childcare programs.

Are there dedicated indoor and outdoor play spaces?
Did the director share the curriculum philosophy and how they balance their daily schedules?
Is the staff trained on play-based approaches?
Did you notice a variety of play materials and learning centers?
Were there materials or discussion about how play connects to learning goals?
Did you check key quality indicators, such as accreditation, teacher credentials, and low teacher-child ratios?

Finding the Right Play-Based Daycare for Your Child

At Ducklings Early Learning Center, our innovative programs and dedicated staff ensure that children learn and grow in an environment that values and promotes the joy of discovery and play.

Want to learn more about our approach to play-based learning? We invite you to schedule a tour as you evaluate your childcare options to discover the Ducklings Difference in person.