Learning through Play

With Julia Belsante, 

Director of Early Learning Center

Battle Ground Academy 

Summer for preschoolers should be full of wonder: bare feet on grass, drippy popsicles and long, lazy days that seem to stretch forever. But here’s the secret—those sun-soaked moments are also full of learning if we know how to look for it. For young children, the world is the curriculum. And summer? It’s one big, beautiful classroom.

 

Early childhood learning isn’t about flashcards or apps. It’s about experiences that engage the senses, stretch the imagination, and build skills through joyful repetition. When your child digs in the garden, they’re developing fine motor strength, practicing focus and learning how things grow. When they help pack a picnic, they’re sorting, counting and sequencing—–a foundation for early math. And when they spend the afternoon building a blanket fort, they’re problem-solving, planning and developing spatial awareness (plus, let’s be honest, showing off some serious creative flair).

 

Even simple routines are full of potential. Counting strawberries at snack time, comparing the size of flip-flops at the door, or noticing shapes in the clouds—all of these small moments support brain development. These everyday conversations build vocabulary, reinforce number sense, and strengthen observation skills.

 

Preschoolers also thrive on movement. Running through a sprinkler builds coordination and self-regulation. Collecting seashells strengthens focus and categorization. Dancing in the living room is a masterclass in rhythm, balance and pure joy, all at once.

 

Most importantly, learning in the early years is social and emotional. When your child tells you a story or asks a million questions about carpenter ants, they’re learning how to connect, communicate, and make sense of the world. Your presence and your curiosity are the most important ingredients.

 

That same spirit of discovery and delight is what we nurture every day at BGA’s Early Learning Center. Whether we’re painting with frozen watercolor cubes or hosting a teddy bear picnic, our teachers know how to turn play into powerful development.

 

This summer, don’t stress about structure. Instead, stay curious. Make space for wonder. Trust that every cannonball jumped, blueberry picked, and question asked is helping your child grow in all the right ways.