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Why Play-based Learning?
At a young age, the attention span of a child is quite short, making it harder for educators to retain their interests. This is where play-based learning comes to the rescue. Using fun, innovative, and interactive mediums helps keep children engaged and involved while imparting significant life lessons. Play is children’s way of exploring and learning about the world around them.
Some Interesting Activities and How They Impact Learning
Children learn the most through play as it has a prominent role in their early lives. Here are examples of activities that combine the joy of play with learning.
Gardening – introduce your child to small aspects of gardening – digging, getting messy, planting, and watering. This enables your child to get close to nature, see the process of growth, and be involved in nurturing life. This also enables them to face fears like seeing bugs and insects up close.
Board games – these essentially help your child slow down, concentrate and think. They also challenge your child to recognize and analyze difficult patterns while enhancing their interpersonal skills and team play.
Blocks – using blocks in play are one of the easiest ways of using toys to help children explore various concepts, including shape, size, and color.
Music – It’s a well-known fact that music has benefits for children and adults alike. Auditory processes are very important in the development of language in children. It also helps your child deal better with stress and communication.
Nature – playing, exploring, and taking age-appropriate risks are all very important in enabling your child to move away from the screens to explore the outdoors. This helps them be physically fit and learn through experiences using their bodies.
Role-play – laughter is one of the best ways to ensure your child is truly engaged. Therefore, having activities that include role play and humor are a good way to involve the whole child in an activity.
Drawing and painting – unstructured play with colors in various mediums helps their self-expression and develops their pre-writing skills. As an additional advantage, it gives your children the opportunity to learn about textures and colors.
Sand play – this helps children learn various concepts through digging, pouring, and sifting. It further helps in their muscle development, coordination, and social skills. Using sand in play is a great way for children to learn through their senses.
Play dough – strengthens your child’s fingers and prepares them for writing. It is also a tool for sensory and creative development in your child.
Play with beads – threading beads into spaghetti or making a necklace are easy and effective ways to enhance your child’s fine motor skills. These also help them stay interested as they go on to create unique pieces of art.
It is clear to see how play immensely impacts children, and hence being able to utilize this opportunity to impart learning is the best way to ensure active participation and retention in children.