"Play is the medium through which children explore, assimilate, order and create. It is the language of childhood: while adults make a 'play on words' and 'play with ideas' young children play with objects and take on roles.
Play is an essential tool and life experience for personal integration and self-knowledge as well as for social integration and an understanding of what it is to be human." Early Years Educator. Volume 3 No 8 December 2001. P.15

At the University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre learning through play is an integral part of the curriculum and is reflected in the 6 areas of development:

	Personal, Social and Emotional Development
	Communication, Language and Literacy
	Mathematical Development
	Creative Development
	Knowledge and Understanding of the World
	Physical Development