Insights from World Disability Day at GIS: How Play-Based Learning Empowers Children with Disabilities
On World Disability Day, Gateway International School (GIS) came alive with color, energy, and laughter as students engaged in a series of interactive, play-based activities designed to foster growth and learning. From sensory pathways to imaginative play, the event demonstrated the transformative power of play in supporting the development of children with disabilities. This celebration not only showcased GIS’s commitment to inclusion but also highlighted the critical role of play-based learning in helping children thrive.
What is Play-Based Learning?
Play-based learning is an educational approach that uses play as a medium to promote cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. For children with disabilities, it serves as a powerful tool to encourage exploration, creativity, and self-expression. Unlike traditional, rigid learning methods, play-based learning is flexible and child-centered, allowing students to learn at their own pace and according to their unique abilities.
Why Play-Based Learning Matters for Children with Disabilities
Children with autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and other developmental challenges often face barriers to traditional learning methods. Play-based learning removes these barriers by offering activities that are accessible, engaging, and adaptable. Here’s why it’s so effective:
- Promotes Sensory Exploration: Children with sensory processing difficulties benefit from tactile, visual, and auditory activities. GIS’s sensory play areas, like water play and texture-based exploration, provide the sensory input children need to feel calm and focused.
- Encourages Social Interaction: Collaborative play activities help children develop social skills, such as turn-taking, sharing, and problem-solving. During World Disability Day, group activities allowed students to interact with peers, fostering friendships and social growth.
- Boosts Confidence and Independence: Play allows children to make choices, take risks, and experience success, which builds confidence and a sense of independence. The obstacle course at GIS’s World Disability Day challenged students to push their limits while feeling supported by teachers and peers.
- Supports Emotional Regulation: Through play, children learn to express and manage their emotions. Activities like role-play and storytelling enable children to process their feelings and develop emotional resilience.
Play-Based Activities from World Disability Day at GIS
GIS’s World Disability Day was filled with engaging activities that embody the principles of play-based learning. Here’s a look at some of the standout exercises that left students beaming with pride and joy:
- Sensory Pathway Adventure: Students navigated colorful sensory pathways made of textured mats, balance beams, and hopping spots. This activity was designed to stimulate their tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive senses, helping them develop balance, coordination, and spatial awareness.
- Obstacle Course Challenge: Children climbed, crawled, and jumped through an obstacle course designed to test their motor skills and problem-solving abilities. The supportive cheers from classmates and teachers inspired students to push through challenges and celebrate small victories.
- Creative Art and Craft Station: Students used paints, clay, and paper to create their own masterpieces. Art activities encouraged fine motor development, creativity, and self-expression. For many students, creating art offered a calming sensory experience.
- Role-Play and Imaginative Play Corners: Costumes, puppets, and props allowed children to role-play as chefs, doctors, and adventurers. This imaginative play fosters language development, empathy, and problem-solving skills.
A Word from the Principal
Reflecting on the success of World Disability Day, Principal Ms. Iram Kharal shared, “Our goal was to create an environment where every child felt seen, supported, and celebrated. Play-based learning allows children to engage on their own terms, and we saw incredible moments of growth and joy throughout the day. It’s a reminder of the power of play in shaping young minds and hearts.”
How Parents Can Support Play-Based Learning at Home
Play-based learning doesn’t have to stop at school. Parents can recreate simple, effective activities at home to support their child’s development. Here are some ideas inspired by GIS’s World Disability Day:
- DIY Sensory Paths: Use tape to create a sensory path on the floor with hopscotch, zigzag lines, and “balance beam” areas.
- Obstacle Courses at Home: Use cushions, chairs, and blankets to set up an indoor obstacle course that encourages movement and problem-solving.
- Messy Art Time: Set up a simple art station at home with paints, clay, or playdough. Let your child create freely to encourage sensory exploration and fine motor skills.
- Imaginative Play Corners: Set up a mini “doctor’s office” or “kitchen” where children can engage in role-play, fostering creativity, empathy, and social skills.
The Road Ahead: Continuing the Journey of Play-Based Learning at GIS
World Disability Day may have been a single event, but its impact will be felt throughout the year. GIS continues to prioritize play-based learning in its daily curriculum, offering children the opportunity to explore, imagine, and grow in an inclusive and supportive environment. The activities showcased during this special day were a reminder that every child—regardless of ability—has the potential to achieve extraordinary things through play.
Come See for Yourself — Visit GIS Today!
If you’re looking for the best autism center in Lahore, you’ve found it. Gateway International School in Wapda Town isn’t just a center — it’s a place where potential is unlocked, one milestone at a time. Visit us, meet our team, and see how we’re making a difference every day. Call us today to learn more or schedule a visit.
Contact Us: 0323-4197845, 042-32350758
Follow Us on Social Media: Click here to join our Facebook page Or Here to read our Blog