When our beautiful, strong-willed daughter was rapidly becoming bored with our at home routine I knew it was time to enroll her in school. She needed to be in an environment that allowed her to be creative, imaginative, and to be able to socialize with children her age while receiving one-on-one learning and attention. My husband and I toured a few local preschools but they did not meet our standard nor budget. In my final plea, someone on social media recommended a play based learning school called PALZ located in Locust Grove, Georgia. I’ve never heard of a play based curriculum, however, after meeting with the director Tammy Miller and toured their facility we immediately enrolled our daughter.
PALZ Early Learning Program is a private Christian play-based learning program.
What does play-based learning mean? According to Early Years Learning Framework, it is “a context for learning through which children organize and make sense of their social worlds, as they engage actively with people, objects and representations.” This type of learning allows teachers to create different environments where the child can play on their own or with peers. This helps children develop a positive outlook on learning and sparks curiosity!
Benefits of play-based learning: |
Effective Communication
Children in a play-based environment are encouraged to play. This allows them to communicate with one another through physical and imaginary play, art, storytelling, music, and other activities. Children will develop language and speech skills through playing with their teachers and peers. I have observed my daughters class and watched how the children successfully share ideas, toys, materials, and even snacks! These skills are important when building friendships.
Social and Emotional Development
Hitting. Pushing. Biting. Yelling. It happens in preschool but many teachers are not well trained on how to effectively correct those behaviors in the classroom. At PALZ, the staff is focused on communication first and academics next. This is done by implementing Conscious Discipline. Conscious Discipline is a social-emotional discipline program that teaches your children how to self soothe, self- regulate, and have self- control. This collaborative skill is important in developing social skills and building friendships.
Ignites Imagination and Creativity
Shaving cream along with DIY sand for writing. Hammering and home-made non-toxic slime to help fine motor skills. Oat cereal to help learn letters. Mixing paint to learn primary colors, the list of creativity and imagination are endless! That is one of the many reasons my daughter absolutely loves going to school every single day; fun projects! It sparks her creative thinking!
Sparks Learning
When my daughter entered PALZ, at 3, she did not recognize most of her letters and numbers. It wasn't that she couldn't learn, rather, my style of teaching did not spark her interest. This year she will be entering Pre-K, she knows all of her letters, sounds, numbers, shapes, colors and is able to read 3-4 letter words on her own! We are thankful to her teachers because her thirst for learning grows every day.
Our year at PALZ has been eye-opening. Children can play all day while learning and absolutely love it! Watching my daughter bubble with joy in the morning because she gets to go to school has been a joy. The staff at PALZ is patient, knowledgeable, hands-on and caring. Each classroom has no more than 6 children. This is specifically done so that the teachers can give every child the undivided attention he/she needs. Along with playing and creating in the classrooms, the children have music class, library time; where the child gets to check out books each week, bible class and outside play!
Call today to schedule your free tour with Tammy Miller, (678) 834-2786! Registration for the 2019 - 2020 school year is now open with limited spaces available from ages 2 - Pre-k.
