Play-based learning Cambodia is increasingly recognised as a powerful approach to early childhood education, and Eco International School offers a clear example of how this method can be applied meaningfully in the classroom. A recent Facebook post from Eco International School highlights an engaging activity from the IEYC Healthy Habits Unit, where children from the Cherries Class participated in role-playing as doctors and nurses. This hands-on experience allowed young learners to explore how hospitals and clinics function while developing essential life skills through guided play.

At the heart of play-based learning Cambodia is the idea that children learn best when they are actively involved. In this activity, students were not simply told about healthcare routines; instead, they became part of the process. By pretending to care for “patients,” children explored medical tools, practiced communication, and learned about empathy in a developmentally appropriate way. These experiences help children connect abstract concepts—such as health, care, and responsibility—to real-world contexts they can understand.

Learning Through Role Play and Real-Life Contexts

Role play is a cornerstone of effective early years education. At Eco International School, the Healthy Habits Unit was designed to help children understand their bodies, personal care, and the people who help keep communities healthy. Through play-based learning Cambodia, children naturally asked questions, experimented with ideas, and built confidence in expressing themselves. Teachers guided the experience without interrupting the children’s curiosity, ensuring that learning remained child-led yet purposeful.

Such activities also support language development and social interaction. When children take on different roles, they negotiate, explain, and listen to one another. These interactions strengthen vocabulary, turn-taking skills, and emotional awareness—key foundations for later academic and social success.

Why Play-Based Learning Matters in Early Years Education

Research consistently shows that play-based learning Cambodia supports cognitive, physical, and emotional development. In early childhood, learning through play helps children retain information more effectively than passive instruction. Activities like the one shared by Eco International School encourage problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration, all within a safe and enjoyable environment.

Importantly, play-based learning does not mean unstructured or unplanned learning. The IEYC framework used by Eco International School ensures that activities are linked to clear learning outcomes. The Healthy Habits Unit, for example, integrates health education with social development, helping children build awareness of hygiene, wellbeing, and care for others.

Supporting Parents and Educators Through Meaningful Practice

For parents and teachers in Cambodia, seeing practical examples of play-based learning Cambodia can be reassuring. It demonstrates how international early years frameworks can be adapted to local contexts while maintaining high educational standards. Schools like Eco International School show that learning can be both joyful and purposeful, helping children develop a positive attitude toward school from an early age.

As early childhood education continues to grow in Phnom Penh and beyond, sharing these practices helps families make informed choices. Activities that combine imagination with real-life learning experiences prepare children not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.

In the final reflection, play-based learning Cambodia remains one of the most effective ways to help young children understand the world around them. Through thoughtfully designed activities such as the IEYC Healthy Habits Unit, Eco International School demonstrates how learning through play creates lasting memories and meaningful understanding for young learners.

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