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ndeniably, play is one of the most effective tools in the learning process of a child. What many parents ask is, why and how play helps a child to learn. Parents ask their children each afternoon, "What did you learn at school today?" and the child will often reply "Nothing, we just played".

Understandably, parents will question the benefits of play in learning if they do not have the background research and data. "Unfortunately, many parents and elementary educators do not view experiences in child care or other kindergarten programs as real learning," wrote Bernard Spodek in Issues in Early Childhood Curriculum.

A specific example of how this occurs is specifically in learning through role plays. When kindergarten students role play (e.g. playing as a family) then they can act as a mother, father, brother, sister, nanny, etc. When the child is assuming the role, indirectly they are learning about social interactions and learning to use appropriate emotions and dialogue. Understanding emotions and developing emotional control is essential for the social and emotional development of a child.

Role play also helps the development of language. When playing, children will use language for different purposes. To converse, negotiate or discuss, students will often have to change the tone, use the appropriate words and so on. This discourse helps children to enrich their vocabulary, learn grammar and use language in a practical way.

Because there are so many benefits of play activities, especially for children of an early age, schools must provide support for these activities. Support should be provided not only by supplying a variety of toys and games, but also structuring the play whereby learning can take place that will meet certain goals. In The Power of Play: Learning What Comes Naturally, David Elkind refers to the negative impact of pushing students into academic areas too soon and believes that such an approach leads to "miseducation" of young children.

A kindergarten should have numerous facilities both inside and outside the classroom that encourage learning by children being interactive. Play should be encouraged under a variety of themes and role play creatively used by well trained early childhood staff. Teachers should consciously facilitate student development through the use of play.

Students in such classes will not only master their language skills but think more creatively and critically. Over time, students' social skills will also develop, they learn to control themselves and make thoughtful decisions.

In The Role of Pretend Play in Children's Cognitive Development, Doris Bergin states that there is an "important role that high quality play - especially pretend play - can make to children's cognitive development in the early years." The benefits of play can be numerous and should never be dismissed if play is integrated into the learning experience in a meaningful way.