At Celebree School of Tysons-Jones Branch, we believe that play is more than just fun. It’s foundational. In fact, one of the most important parts of our approach to child care in McLean, VA, is structured play.
As a parent, you want your child to be learning, growing, and enjoying every moment of their day. That’s exactly what structured play delivers. It helps children build essential life skills in a way that feels like fun and adventure, not work.
Let’s take a closer look at what structured play means and how it benefits your child in our warm and nurturing environment.
What Is Structured Play?
Structured play refers to activities that are guided by a teacher, focused on a specific goal, and designed to teach important concepts or skills. Unlike free play, where children direct the action, structured play provides a soft framework where children explore new ideas while being gently guided.
Common Characteristics of Structured Play:
- Adult-facilitated
- Has a clear goal or learning objective
- Includes planned materials or activities
- Often follows a theme (like colors, numbers, or nature)
- Encourages group interaction and collaboration
Why It Matters in Early Childhood
These early years are all about building confidence, developing communication skills, and laying the foundation for lifelong learning. Structured play supports all of that, and more. Through thoughtfully designed activities, we help children:
- Develop social skills like taking turns, sharing, and problem-solving
- Build language and literacy through songs, stories, and conversations
- Strengthen fine and gross motor skills with hands-on activities
- Explore math and science concepts through counting, sorting, and experiments
- Boost self-esteem as they accomplish new challenges and feel successful
How We Do It at Celebree School of Tysons-Jones Branch
Our child care program helps children learn through active, engaging play. Here’s how structured play comes to life in our classrooms:
- Purposeful Learning Centers
We organize our classrooms into centers—like a reading nook, sensory table, or art area—each one focused on a particular type of development. Activities are introduced with purpose, whether it’s a color-sorting game for toddlers or a building challenge for preschoolers.
- Themed Weekly Lessons
Each week has a theme (like community helpers or weather) that ties our structured activities together. This helps children connect the dots across subjects and makes learning feel like a story unfolding.
- Caring, Passionate Educators
Our teachers are the heart of everything we do. They know how to guide children with just the right mix of support and independence. They plan each structured play activity with your child’s developmental milestones in mind, and celebrate every small win along the way.
A Joyful Start to Lifelong Learning
Choosing the right child care is a big decision. At Celebree School of Tysons-Jones Branch, we see it as the beginning of a beautiful chapter for your child and your family. Through structured play, we spark a love of learning that will grow with them for years to come.
Ready to learn more about how our child care program can support your little learner? We’d love to show you around!
