Academics from the University of Cambridge found that teaching younger children through guided play can support key aspects of their learning and development at least as well, and sometimes better, than traditional, direct instruction.
The study, which claims to be the first to examine the effects of guided play, suggests that guided play can be just as effective in developing key skills such as literacy, numeracy, social skills and executive functions.
It also suggests that this type of play can be more effective in helping children master skills in maths than through adult-led instruction.
What is guided play?
Guided play refers to playful educational activities, which although gently steered by an adult, give children the freedom to explore a learning goal in their own way.
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