As parents, we all want to give our children the best learning opportunities possible. But sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. We may find ourselves turning to traditional educational activities like reading and studying concepts as a go-to option for learning. But there is also another powerful way – learning through play! This is where “role play toys,” “wooden vegetable sets,” “kitchens for kids,” and “balance bikes” can play a vital role. Let’s explore the scientific principles that support allowing children to lead their learning through play and experimentation and how having fun while learning can better cement important concepts.
Benefits of Learning through play
Benefits of learning through play include the following, but there are many more potential benefits as well that would simply be too many to list:
A. Improved learning retention:
Children who learn through play remember information longer than those learning through traditional methods. This is because learning through play increases activity and engagement in the learning process, which helps to create a stronger memory connection with the subject matter.
B. Greater engagement with learning material:
When learning through play, children are more likely to participate in the learning process and become invested in learning each new concept. This encourages further development and exploration within the subject matter.
C. Increased creativity and problem-solving abilities:
Learning through play helps children think critically about problems and develop their own solutions. By engaging in problem-solving activities and learning through experimentation, children become better equipped to think outside of the box and come up with creative solutions.
D. Development of social and emotional skills:
Through learning through play, children also develop important social and emotional skills such as cooperation and communication. By engaging with others in learning activities, they are able to build relationships and practice social skills within a learning environment.
E. Strengthened parent-child connections:
By learning through play together, parents and children can strengthen their bond. Parents can use learning through play to teach children important concepts while also having fun together.
Examples of activities conducive to learning through play
A huge variety of activities that your child probably already enjoy are extremely beneficial when it comes to encouraging play-based learning! Check out our list below for ideas for new activities to try and ones your child probably already enjoys that will support their learning.
A. Pretend play:
Playing house, learning with dolls, or acting out stories are all great ways to engage in pretend play while learning important concepts. You’ll be amazed at the real-life situations your child may play out with dolls and other toys, and this can help them process emotions as well as sparking their imagination.
B. Using manipulatives:
Using small items like blocks, beads, and toy animals are great ways to engage in learning while playing. By manipulating these objects and building with them, children learn concepts like cause and effect as well as learning colors, shapes, and sizes.
C. Outdoor/nature exploration:
Exploring the great outdoors and learning about nature helps children learn in a hands-on way. Get out in the garden or take a walk in your neighborhood and have your child observe the natural world around them, learning about plants, animals, rocks, and more. Your child may be fascinated by archaeology, botany, or even latin after learning more about the plants and animals around them and their scientific names.
D. Free exploration with a variety of items:
Fill a box with items from around the house and let your child explore. This could include items such as empty plastic bottles, rubber bands, craft materials, or old kitchen utensils. Letting your child explore these items can help them to develop problem solving and innovative thinking skills. Just don’t be surprised if the play gets a bit noisy or messy depending on what you choose to include!
E: Puzzles, riddles, and mysteries:
Encouraging learning through play can also involve puzzles and riddles. You don’t necessarily have to go out and buy a puzzle, either—figuring out how to sort a pocket full of coins or learning the capital cities of different countries can be just as fun for young learners. You can also look to the world around you to solve mysteries and learn with your child, checking out simple everyday topics. Spend an afternoon blowing bubbles and explore together why the sky is blue, how bubbles stay together, how our lungs blow air, and the different kinds of clouds that pass across the sky!
F: Art activities and projects:
Children love to make things—explore different arts and crafts projects with your child. Draw pictures, paint, or build something together using everyday items. Not only is it fun to make something with your own hands, but learning through play also helps children build important skills such as fine motor control, concentration, and problem solving when things don’t go exactly according to their plan or vision.
Ready to better support your child in learning through play?
In summary, your child is probably already actively learning through play in ways you haven’t picked up on just about every day! A child’s natural love of learning often sets them on a great path even without outside intervention, so now that you have a better understanding of how and why your kiddo should learn by playing, you’re one step ahead in helping your child reach their fullest potential. Now that you’re better informed about play-based learning, you’ll be able to actively support and encourage your little one in their journey of exploration and growth.