At ECFS, we offer an academic experience that is demanding and challenging — yet at the same time, we understand that joy, laughter, play, and movement are integral to our human development. When our 3rd Graders visit the Hudson River to study its ecosystem, they play with the water, write poems about their experiences, and paint watercolors of what they see. We are also fortunate to have beautiful and bountiful outdoor space on our Bronx campus, and our students take advantage of this by lying in the Quad grass or sitting together in the garden outside the library.
Playfulness in Practice
We create opportunities for fun and playfulness in our curriculum in a variety of ways. When students in our lower schools practice Spanish, they do so playfully by recreating everyday activities like visiting a restaurant or going to the doctor. They engage their imaginations while learning new skills. At Fieldston Upper, we offer a science course all about food. Have you ever wondered what makes a French fry so delicious? Or about the molecular makeup of a brownie? We encourage our students to play with their food — while practicing advanced chemistry. And one of our 5th Grade math teachers wrote a song about pi — both catchy and informative.
The Greeks are their names names names names And geometry’s their game game game game Yeah, yeah Cause pi goes on and on and on, It goes on and on and on….
To the tune of “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz
In our play-based learning, sometimes the outdoors comes in: our 1st Graders raise chickens or ducks inside their classroom, caring for the baby birds from incubation to hatching.
Play and creativity work closely together, and we offer as many opportunities as possible for our students to express their wonderful creativity. In our digital studio, students of all skill levels learn to create musical compositions using state-of-the-art technology. By the end of the year-long course, students will have produced CDs and a SoundCloud account of their compositions. Students also have the chance to collaborate with both the film and dance departments to create original scores for their peers.
We offer a comprehensive and rigorous dance curriculum, but we also offer courses to students of all skill levels who just want the time and space for joyful movement. Any student may choose to take a weekly dance class designed to get them moving, sweating, and connecting with their bodies. Students learn popular choreography from movies, Broadway shows, and music videos. Students have fun, express themselves, and get their heart rates pumping.
The Results of Hands-On Learning
Play and movement are vital to our work at all ages. In keeping with progressive practice, students learn by doing. For us, challenge and laughter are often complementary. We also ensure students have plenty of time outdoors, both when studying and in times of leisure. Above all, we find ways both intentional and spontaneous to demonstrate joy, gratitude, and excitement for our experience and each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the playful learning approach?
According to The Power of Playful Learning in the Early Childhood Setting, “playful learning describes a learning context in which children learn content while playing freely (free play or self-directed play), with teacher guidance (guided play), or in a structured game. By harnessing children’s natural curiosity and their proclivities to experiment, explore, problem solve, and stay engaged in meaningful activities—especially when doing so with others—teachers maximize learning while individualizing learning goals.” Research has found that this doesn’t just apply to young children, but humans of all ages. The playful learning approach empowers students to guide their own learning, creates a culture of collaborative learning together, encourages risk-taking and experimentation, promotes imaginative thinking, and more.
What does playful education look like at ECFS Upper Fieldston School?
In keeping with progressive practice, students learn by doing at Upper Fieldston School — and sometimes on their feet as faculty teach using games and songs. Upper Fieldston School is a hands-on learning private school, where playful education can come in the form of dance and theater classes designed to get students moving, sweating, and connecting with their bodies and others. Students learn popular choreography and scenes from movies, Broadway shows, and music videos while having fun, expressing themselves, and getting their heart rates pumping.
How does play foster ethical development?
Play fosters ethical development by unlocking opportunities for students to learn and practice social skills, empathy, and moral reasoning through interactions and imaginative situations. Through play, children explore different perspectives, learn to cooperate, and effectively problem-solve which lead to a stronger sense of self, empathy for others, and a foundation for making ethical decisions in the real world.
Is ECFS a Montessori school?
No, ECFS does not identify as a Montessori school, but we echo their intentions and values of respect and independence with a focus on hands-on learning. We share a goal of fostering morally-sound and independent students aiming to make the world a better place.
