Why Early Years Matter: The Power of Learning Through Play at Country Day School

At Country Day School, we believe that the foundation for lifelong learning is built in the early years. As we continually strive to enrich the educational experience for all our students, we want to highlight the importance of the early years and how our approach to learning aligns with best practices in education, particularly the concept of learning through play. 

A recent article from Nord Anglia Education titled "Why Early Years Are the Most Important Years in Learning" outlines the essential role these formative years play in shaping children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. The article emphasizes how a play-based approach to learning can significantly impact children's long-term success. At Country Day School, we’ve adopted a similar philosophy, believing that learning through play not only nurtures creativity but also fosters problem-solving skills, emotional regulation, and collaborative abilities. 

The core of learning through play is the idea that children learn best when they are actively engaged in activities that feel meaningful and enjoyable to them. Just like the research suggests, our Early Childhood program uses play as a central tool to ignite curiosity, build social connections, and develop a sense of self. Whether it’s through guided exploration, imaginative play, or structured activities that encourage critical thinking, play allows our young learners to experiment, fail, and succeed in a safe and supportive environment. 

The research backs this up. According to the article, children in their early years are at a prime stage for absorbing new knowledge, and when they engage in play, they are learning far more than just the activity at hand. They are developing key life skills, like communication, resilience, and adaptability. This is the reason why we integrate hands-on, playful learning experiences in our classrooms. Through rich storytelling, arts, outdoor play, and cooperative games, our youngest learners are continually expanding their understanding of the world around them. 

At Country Day School, our approach to learning isn't just about meeting educational benchmarks—it’s about cultivating a love for learning that will last a lifetime. The engaging, child-centered learning experiences in our Early Childhood program are designed to foster growth in all areas: academic, social, emotional, and physical. 

In many ways, we are following the best practices described in the article, ensuring that children are given the space and support to grow naturally. But we also recognize that each child is unique, which is why our curriculum is flexible and responsive to the needs and interests of our students. Just like the article points out, children learn best when they are able to take ownership of their learning through their interests, and we aim to provide an environment that respects and nurtures those interests. 

If you’re interested in learning more about how our Early Childhood program uses play-based learning to build a solid foundation for future academic and personal success, we encourage you to dive deeper into the insights shared by the article and see how they align with our approach here at Country Day School. We believe that by investing in these early years, we’re investing in the future of our children—and we invite you to be a part of this incredible journey. 

We encourage the CDS community to read the article from Nord Anglia Education and think about how the importance of learning through play is embedded in our own philosophy. Let’s continue to work together to create a nurturing environment where our youngest learners can thrive. 

Read the full article here.