Element of Play®
Rise Bulgaria believes in the transformative power of play – for children and adults alike. The organization creates opportunities for learning, development and connection through play in local communities.
Through the Element of Play® program, we teach families, teachers and professionals how to use play methods in early childhood to support the overall development and well-being of each child.
What is the Element of Play®?
The Element of Play® is a universal program that can be applied to all children to support their early development. Over the years, it has been successfully used in various environments – nurseries, kindergartens, preschool groups in schools, as well as in children’s hospital wards, social services, community centers.
At its core, the Element of Play® is an adaptive, child-centered methodology that uses structured play to support children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Through carefully selected activities, the program creates a safe and caring environment in which children can explore, dream, learn and build trusting relationships with supportive adults.
The Element of Play® - a game for growth, development and support
The program is based on three main types of game:
- Toys and Materials Games: Activities with toys and materials that develop fine motor skills, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
- Music and movement: Group games, dances and musical activities that stimulate rhythm, coordination and social bonding.
- Storytelling and dramatization: Storytelling, role-playing, puppetry and storytelling that promote language development, emotional expression and empathy.
Each activity is designed to bring joy to children at the same time and support key milestones in their development and emotional stability.
The Element of Play® supports the development of language skills, attention, cognitive, fine and gross motor skills, as well as basic life competencies such as:
- cooperation
- Communication
- critical thinking
- Creativity and innovation
- certainty
Children who participated in the Element of Play® program are three times more ready for first grade compared to their peers who did not go through the program.
What makes us different?
What distinguishes the Element of Play® is our Theory of Change. The real change happens when the community works together to take care of its members. The key to the success of this program is our core belief that children succeed when the adults around them also participate in the game. The Element of Play® element provides a game-based and evidence-based program to children and families, and our trainings on the programs provide the necessary skills and knowledge to work with the program to specialists, teachers and parents who work with children from the community. When children learn how to overcome challenges, they take a huge step towards becoming strong and successful adults.
What is behind The Element of Play®: the scientific basis
Research over the past 30 years has shown that a child’s early experiences shape the brain and determine its future health, learning ability and behavior. (Source: Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University)
The most important period in human development is from birth to 8 years of age.
The game is a powerful tool for building thinking skills, emotional health, and social competence. It is through play that the foundations for success in the later stages of life are laid.
The uneven start
Every year, millions of children enter school without the necessary preparation. Quality play-based programs – such as the Element of Play ® – help to overcome long-standing social inequalities and are a proven means of breaking generational poverty.
The economic effect
In the U.S., every $1 invested in early childhood development programs brings a return of $6.30 in the form of better education, employment and health, as well as cost savings in the future. (Source: economist James Heckman)
