Learning through play

Educationalists now recognise the prime importance of play for children’s development. Indeed, some researchers believe that play and laughter actually “fertilise” the brain. Play is also believed to be very important as an antidote to “over-occupied” childhoods, where children take on two many formal organised activities (ballet, football, rugby, learning new language, etc) to leave enough time for playing.

Play is so important because it is central to a child’s learning. It contributes to development of feelings, ideas and imagination, relationships, abstract ways of thinking, the moral and spiritual self and the moral self. As such, at Mace we recognise the importance of giving children the time to play and it is, in fact, one of the strengths of the Montessori method that children explore their environment independently and progress at their own speed. The specialised Montessori materials are designed to encourage children’s natural curiosity and to allow them steady progress. Thus, as they play in our nursery, carefully and gently guided by our staff, you will find that your children are not only having fun but learning as well.