Laughter echoed across the grounds of Maria Holder Nursery School, Oldbury, St Philip, on Friday, but educators insisted there was much more happening beneath the cheerful sounds of bean bag tosses, bowling games and children’s songs.
The school’s Open Day and Art Exhibition under the theme Family Fun and Play transformed classrooms and outdoor spaces into interactive learning hubs designed to demonstrate that play is one of the most powerful tools in early childhood education.
“Our open day, family fun and play day… was to showcase the children’s artwork and crafts throughout the year and also to invite parents and the wider community into our learning space and show them how we utilise play as a teaching tool,” explained Early Childhood Coordinator, Caisha Greaves.
Early Childhood Coordinator, Caisha Greaves. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
“They were able to observe and actually participate in games and activities facilitated by teachers to develop a wide range of skills and concepts.”
Greaves stressed that the day’s activities challenged the misconception that play is merely entertainment.
“Play is an integral part of early childhood education. Naturally, children play. It develops the whole child socially, cognitively, physically.
“And we wanted parents to really see the benefits of play in school. It is not just laughing and idleness. It is purposeful. It is meaningful. And they got firsthand to get involved and see the benefits of it and how the child uses play.”
Student following the shapes placed on floor. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
The event followed a play-based learning demonstration in classrooms and featured displays of student artwork created throughout the academic year.
Families moved between indoor and outdoor stations where everyday games became opportunities for development. Mini golf encouraged concentration and coordination, while bean bag toss and bowling strengthened motor skills. Tabletop activities introduced literacy and numeracy concepts through alphabet sequencing and patterning exercises.
Inside the classrooms, children practised alphabet sequencing and formed shapes using marshmallows and toothpicks, turning simple materials into lessons in letter recognition, creativity and fine motor development. Others followed patterns using blocks and coloured chain links, while one activity had students roll a dice and begin at the matching shape on a floor pattern, jumping from one symbol to the next until they reached the finish. The exercise combined movement with critical thinking as children identified and completed sequences through play.
Students forming the alphabet. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
“So the students will be able to showcase their skills through play, both indoor and outdoor,” Greaves said.
“Parents will get the opportunity to actively become involved in their learning through a wide range of activities such as mini golf. We have bean bag toss. We also have bowling which will develop their eye-hand coordination.”
Students and parents participating in the dance session. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
She added that the experiences extended beyond physical activity.
“We also have indoor activities such as tabletop games, including alphabet sequencing. We have patterning. We even have engineering… a dance activity to develop their gross motor skills, balance, and coordination.”
Organisers hoped the day’s experiences would reshape how adults view children’s play.
Students forming shapes with toothpicks and marshmallows. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
Experts say play allows children to explore their interests, express ideas and feelings, build confidence and develop relationships through hands-on experiences. It supports social, emotional, language, physical and cognitive development, helping children learn to cooperate, communicate, solve problems and think creatively.
Friday’s event also featured interactive play stations for adults and children, such as learning games, challenges, creative arts, crafts, and movement sessions.
In the classes, Alphabet sequencing was done; formation of shapes using marshmallows and toothpicks; pattern following using blocks and coloured chain links; and pattern jumping, where students rolled dice, and the shape on top was where they started and followed it to the end of the floor pattern.
By opening its doors to families, Maria Holder Nursery School offered a reminder that some of childhood’s most important lessons are learned not while sitting still, but while building, questioning, creating and playing.
And if the delighted squeals across Oldbury were any indication, the youngest learners may have been teaching the adults a lesson also, play, when guided with purpose, is serious work.
(LE)
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