Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Play & Learn?
A: Play & Learn is a motor-based preschool curriculum for children of ALL abilities based on current research that emphasizes a holistic model in which the child, environment, and the functional tasks are integrated – not isolated. It is also an excellent example of universal design in action! The model for universal design supports an environment where ALL children are included in the same activities within the classroom. Play & Learn shows how to embed adaptations and simple assistive technology into the classroom, so all children can be full participants in their educational environment. Play & Learn is a proven 12-month, theme-based curriculum that includes step-by-step instruction and is full of over 260 activities that promote the development of the whole child. Play & Learn is a proven 12-month, theme-based curriculum that includes step-by-step instruction and is full of hundreds of activities that promote the development of the whole child.
If you are interested in learning more about this quality preschool program, check out the Frequently Asked Questions.
Q: How is the Play & Learn curriculum structured?
A: This twelve-month preschool curriculum provides a framework that is organized to facilitate learning based on current research and monthly theme-based activities that correlate with high quality literature books. The structure includes Play Areas and emphasizes the four key elements necessary in a preschool learning environment. Each of the activity lessons is supported with student photos that make the activities come to real life.
Q: How many Monthly Themes are Included in the Play & Learn curriculum?
A: There are 12 monthly themes:
• September: Welcome to School
• October: Fall Colors
• November: Celebrating Families
• December: Holiday Dazzle
• January: Winter Wonderland
• February: Friends
• March: Animals on Parade
• April: Spring
• May: All Kinds of Gardens
• June: Summer Fun
• July: Celebrate with a Parade
• August: Exploring Our Environment
Q: What are the four key elements emphasized in Play & Learn?
A: Routines and Music, Repetition, Play, and Social Interactions
Routines and Music:
Both routines and music play a significant role in creating a predictable environment which supports a child's learning. The Play & Learn curriculum offers an array of music options and cooperative sensorimotor routines that give structure to the schedule and the environment.
Repetition:
Children learn to develop skill transference through repetition of tasks that contain variation. You will find repetition with a variety throughout all the activities in the Play & Learn curriculum.
Play:
Because we know children stay motivated when that are having fun, work becomes child's play work. The Play & Learn curriculum is full of activities centered on play. These fun activities enhance all developmental areas, because children are using multiple sensory systems for learning.
Social Interactions:
Play & Learn incorporates the use of commercially available preschool games throughout the curriculum, since these provide an excellent way to promote natural social interactions. All of the 260 activities provide an opportunity to expand social interactions and have been design with this in mind.
Q: How will I be able to include all my students, even those within the severe disability range?
A: It’s easy with AbleNet’s Preschool Action Dictionary™."
The Preschool Action Dictionary™ offers children with cognitive and physical challenges alternative ways to perform any action in Play & Learn. This handy reference guide to differentiated instruction integrates perfectly with Play & Learn’s universal design model for learning, which allows children of all abilities to participate in activities. Every Play & Learn lesson features action words in bold; these words can be found in the Preschool Action Dictionary along with three or four differentiated strategies designed to maximize learning and participation when adaptations are needed. Combined with differentiated instruction strategies and step-by-step instructions for adapting the activities, Play & Learn enables students of all abilities to participate, communication, and learn.
Q: Does the Play & Learn curriculum provide data collection tools?
A: YES!
Play & Learn includes the Routines Based Assessment for recording and sharing student growth and progress, and is an excellent addition to other assessment and data collection tools you may already have in place. The checklist addresses a variety of times of day and skills used during those times and locations.
Q: Where can I get additional Support Materials?
A: After you purchase Play & Learn, you’ll gain access to an exclusive Members Only site that gives you additional support materials.
Q: What Support Materials are included?
A: There are several items that support the teaching of the themed-based activities:
• Each month includes a recommended literature book list
supporting the monthly theme. Also included on the list are
literature books that promote disability awareness
• Toys and Equipment Resource list to locate the teaching
materials suggested in the curriculum
• Reproducible patterns for supporting activities
• Directions for creating:
- Adapted juice lids
- Adapted stamps
- Adapted sponges
- Adapted fishing poles
- Adapted magnetic stickers and colorforms
- Adapted felt materials
- And so much more
• Functional Motor Checklist for recording and sharing student growth and progress
Q: Will I be able to meet my students IEP goals and objectives using this program?
A: Yes.
Play & Learn materials support the teaching of the theme-based activities with a variety of resources, such as a monthly recommended book list, disability awareness literature list, reproducible patterns, a toys and equipment resource list, and Functional Motor Checklist for recording and sharing student growth and progress. On the Play & Learn Members Only site you will also find the following:
•Extras -Preschool Action Dictionary™
-Song List
-Book List
-Frame
•Reproducibles
-Mazes
-Games
-Dot-to-Dot
-Stories
-Teaching Picture Symbols
•Virtual Training
-Play & Learn Overview