Play-Based Learning Preschool in Edmonton
Blocks stacked into towers. Sand poured through funnels. A pretend bakery taking orders from "customers." At the Centre for Early Learning and Development, moments like these aren't just fun; they're how young children learn best.
What Is Play-Based Learning?
Play-based learning is an approach where children build skills through hands-on, self-directed activities rather than worksheets or memorization.
Research consistently links it to stronger collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, along with gains in language, math, and social-emotional development.
At our Edmonton preschool, this looks like a mix of:
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Child-led activities where kids explore, imagine, and work out ideas at their own pace.
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Educators step in with thoughtful questions or new materials to deepen a child's exploration without taking over.
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Everyday skills like counting or letter recognition woven naturally into games and hands-on activities.
Why We Prioritize Play in Our Preschool Program
A growing body of research shows that a balanced mix of play and brief, targeted instruction, rather than direct instruction alone, leads to better outcomes for young children. Our educators are trained to recognize learning as it happens in the moment, whether a child is negotiating roles in the dramatic play centre or figuring out how many blocks it takes to balance a tower.
Play-Based Learning at the Centre for Early Learning and Development
Every day in our Edmonton preschool classrooms includes generous stretches of open-ended play, supported by educators who know when to step back and when to gently guide. Children leave our program confident, curious, and equipped with the foundational skills they'll build on for years to come.
Want to see play-based learning in action?
Book a Tour
See our prepared learning environment and meet our educators in person.
Morning and afternoon spots curious learners aged 3 to 4. Learn what a day looks like.
Get to know our educators, families, and the everyday moments that make up life at CELD.
