Playspace at Playseum

CEBU, Philippines - "Children should be playing more," Teacher Aina Arcilla-Lacson, director of Playseum in Banilad (atop Café Georg), said when asked as to why she founded her first playspace here in Cebu.

"As an early childhood educator, I want to point out that children learn more if they have more playtime, and less of the stressful pencil and paper works," she added. "Like most of us, our fond memories of childhood are those spent playing, such as climbing trees."

Playseum's teaching approach dubbed Developmentally Appropriate Practice makes sure that everything kids do is appropriate to their age, and that this is targeted toward the child's interest and needs.

"No need for pen and paper unless the child is ready. They have 20 years ahead of them to do such stressful activities, so why make them hurry?" Teacher Aina added.

According to her, they focus not on direct teaching but on the fun you and your child will have. "We offer every child plenty of opportunities to talk and be listened to, to read and be read to, and to sing and be sung to."

What is Playseum?

Playseum provides a developmentally appropriate environment designed for children aged one year old through five years old and their parents and caregivers.

Programs include Drop-in Play (hourly playtime) which requires company of adult; Ready to Read for emergent literacy skills development; Artastic for art enrichment of children three to five years old); Language Lessons (Spanish, Filipino, Chinese, and French); Party Playtime; Field Trips (by arrangement), and nanny workshops.

As what Teacher Aina has underscored: Children learn best when they play, so Playseum makes learning fun and interesting. The Playseum experience is meant to foster the development of emergent literacy and school readiness skills through interactive play.

(FREEMAN)