Episode 8 - Play or Practice? Finding the Balance in the Early Years

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Early Years Explorers - Chatter on Early Childhood

Afaf Zaidan

13 episodes

1 week ago

Welcome to Early Years Explorers, where play is serious business, curiosity is celebrated, and apparently where glitter makes everything better. I’m Afaf Zaidan, an early childhood educator with two decades of experience and self-proclaimed glitter magnet here to share the joy, chaos, and occasional sticky-fingered moments of the early years. Each episode takes you inside real classroom stories that will make you laugh, nod (or gasp!), insights that will keep you going, and reflections on how young children grow, connect, and explore the world — all backed by research. Whether you’re a teacher looking for inspiration or a parent curious about the magic behind those little eyes and big imaginations, there’s something here for you. So grab your coffee, hit that play button, and join me as we dive into the world of early childhood and unpack those messy, magical, and wonderfully unpredictable moments in the early years — one playful story at a time.

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Episode 8 - Play or Practice? Finding the Balance in the Early Years

Early Years Explorers - Chatter on Early Childhood

11 minutes 1 second

7 months ago

Episode 8 - Play or Practice? Finding the Balance in the Early Years

In this episode of Early Years Explorers, we delve into a key question many educators and parents face: Should young children be playing, practicing—or both?

Join me as we unpack the importance of balancing free play with intentional practice in early childhood settings. We’ll explore how child-led exploration nurtures creativity and social-emotional skills, while guided practice helps develop foundational concepts and routines.

Through real classroom examples and reflective insights, this episode highlights how educators can thoughtfully blend both approaches to support holistic learning in the early years.

Whether you lean more toward play-based learning or structured skill-building, this episode will give you practical strategies and food for thought as you navigate this important balance.