Showing posts with label learning through play. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learning through play. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Encouraging Play in Children Teaches Necessary Skills for Growing Up
Pretending Becomes Reality
Consider two young sisters playing house. The older one decides she’s the mommy and assigns the younger one to be the baby. The pretend mommy is thrilled at the role she gets to play. Acting like an adult is fun, as long as it’s only for a little while.As they play, the pretend mommy trips and scrapes her knee. She’s still in character though, and doesn’t want the game to end, so instead of crying, she ignores the sting and goes back to "grocery shopping." By holding it together for the sake of the game, this little girl is actually teaching herself she can hold it together even when she’s not playing pretend.
Play Helps Children Grow Up
More and more, children today are over-scheduled with structured lessons, classes and activities when what they really need is more free play, or time to indulge in creative play that has nothing to do with parents, coaches or technology. It’s easy to mistake free play for a waste of time. After all, it’s not goal-oriented, and your child certainly can’t put "played house" on a college application, but that doesn’t mean it’s a waste of time.Benefits of Play
First of all, playing makes children happy. It also helps them learn to focus, create, problem solve, self-regulate, take turns and communicate more effectively. Some say encouraging play in children also makes kids smarter. These are traits you want to instill in your child, and it’s as easy as making sure they have time to play independently every day!Even baby animals play, unknowingly practicing the skills they need to make it to adulthood. Pouncing on sticks is early hunting training, while playing tag is great practice for evading those pouncing predators. Why would Mother Nature program play into all mammals if it accomplished nothing?
Many schools think that by cutting recess, they’re adding education time, but play is education! Help your child learn necessary skills for growing up b encouraging play! For more information, please contact ListenLoveLearn today. We want to help your child succeed.
Image via Shutterstock.com
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Roles Parents Can Play While Trusting Toddlers to Make Their Own Fun
Then, be sure to set aside special time to play with your child. At this age, don’t worry too much about the specific skills your child learns from one game or another; instead, simply trust your toddler to make his own fun. Trusting toddlers to play is all about letting them lead the playtime without interrupting or changing the game’s direction.
When you sit down with your toddler, let him be in charge of experimenting with new toys. You’re an adult, so of course you know the “right way” to complete the puzzle or play with a specific toy – but don’t do it. Sit on your hands if you have to! Unless your child asks for help, back off.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t still be involved in playtime. While trusting toddlers to play and make their own fun, adopt the following roles to still remain involved:
- The cheerleader: Clap and cheer when your child achieves a goal or masters a new skill during play.
- The playmate: Some games require a partner. When your child rolls you the ball, roll it back. When he laughs and runs from you, playfully chase him.
- The research assistant: If a game or toy is getting boring, run off and find the perfect addition to make it feel new again.
- The expert: Answer questions about what a toy is or what it’s made out of. If your child asks how to use it, show him some ideas.
- The psychologist: Play can become frustrating when you’re too young or too small to do something. Encourage your child, comfort him, and offer to help press a button hard enough or undo a stubborn latch.
Image via Shutterstock.com
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