\nyears\u2019 experience in education across three continents around the world, Head
\nof Early Years at the British Vietnamese International School Hanoi (BVIS
\nHanoi)<\/a> Cerys Shanley knows children \u2013 how they think, play, and how they
\nlearn best.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything that
\nI\u2019ve learnt, researched and experienced in early childhood development around the world,
\nleads to play-based learning as the most powerful education for small children
\n\u2013 academically, socially and emotionally,\u201d said Cerys. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe effectiveness
\nof learning through play
\nis well known and respected among early years professionals \u2013 it\u2019s widely
\nrecognised as best practice. But beyond that, there\u2019s often a misunderstanding
\nabout what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
What is play-based learning?<\/b><\/p>\n
An \u201cThe role of \u201cPlay-based learning The early childhood development Seen as having \u201cFriedrich Following At roughly the In Vietnam, the British \u201cThe importance
\ninternationally renowned creative approach to early childhood development, play-based learning is largely
\nled by children\u2019s questions and curiosities. Early Years educators specialise
\nin creating fascinating learning environments to spark children\u2019s imaginations
\nand ignite different thoughts and questions. In a learning through play classroom like those at BVIS
\nHanoi<\/a>, teachers build a treasure trove of resources and tools to engage
\nstudents, nurturing their critical thinking, creative and social skills to lay
\na strong foundation for primary and secondary school.<\/p>\n![\"With](\"https:\/\/vritimes-public.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com\/production\/a697ec6c3496d866e9fb78d7b30f3e547b767a89eb9a757b7a2dc3803156334f\/NDT07630.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nevery early childhood
\ndevelopment professional is to engage, interact and play with each
\nchild, to provoke reactions, questions and create opportunities to find the
\nanswers \u2013 not give them the answers,\u201d said Cerys. <\/p>\n
\ndevelops their brain in extraordinary ways, empowering them to become confident
\nglobal citizens as they grow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\npioneers<\/b><\/p>\n
\nsome of the greatest impacts in shaping early years education, creator of the
\nKindergarten, German-born Friedrich Froebel was among the first to
\nreject the tradition of teacher-led education \u2013 which viewed children as
\npassive learners.<\/p>\n
\nFroebel believed in the power of learning through play, and recognised the influence of the
\nformative years on academic achievement, social progress and emotional
\nregulation,\u201d said Cerys. \u201cHis research discovered play-based learning as the leading form of
\ndevelopment in small children.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nFriedrich, Early Years theorist from the early 20th century Susan
\nIsaacs joined the movement, describing nursery as an extension of home; she
\nbelieved in the great educational value of play. In her research, Young
\nChildren are Researchers and What Happens Next<\/i>, Susan concluded that \u201cplay
\nis indeed the child\u2019s work, and the means whereby he grows and develops\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nsame time, founder and director of the Expertise Center for Experiential
\nEducation (CEGO) Dr Ferre Laevers helped develop a five-point scale to
\nmeasure growth through play-based
\nlearning: \u201cThrough this research, we know that a deeper learning takes
\nplace when there are high levels of wellbeing and involvement in play,\u201d said
\nCerys.<\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"https:\/\/vritimes-public.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com\/production\/bda1f4378f53f385452a40eb9ebb254624f3fed1a2151c6bd75d06878fff9a36\/53.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nVietnamese International School Hanoi<\/a> \u2013 a Nord Anglia Education<\/a>
\nschool – is one of the schools pioneering learning through play. The children
\nare thriving in an environment led by internationally experienced expert Cerys
\nShanley, through highly qualified educators trained to nurture play-based learning. <\/p>\n
\nof early childhood development was recognised last century by passionate,
\nforward-thinking pioneers in education. Understanding play as an integral part
\nof growth in children is still largely misunderstood in Southeast Asia. It\u2019s
\nour responsibility as experts in the field to teach its importance to fully
\nembrace each child\u2019s potential in life,\u201d said Cerys.<\/p>\n