Children learn best through play. But what kind of play stimulates children to learn and supports their development?
There are indeed different types of play.
As parents we often have a tendency to think that we need to engage children into more activities and buy more toys so that our children do not get bored. We like our children to play according to set rules and follow our ideas and instructions.
However, for children meaningful play is much more than a new exciting activity or toy. In contrary, it does not need a lot for children to get absorbed into a game and to play on their own.
Try out this simple exercise – close your eyes and think back about your childhood. Which are the happiest memories that come back? What kind of games did you like to play most?
Meaningful play engages children in an experience, is uses all their senses, it presents them with challenges (or little adventures) that they can master on their own, it gives them the feeling of agency and allows them to use their imagination.
The 5 most important ingredients for meaningful play
- Children are able to make their own choices and take ownership of their play. Children like to be in charge of what and how they play. As long as the chosen toy is not dangerous, let them decide and follow the flow.
- Children chose to play out of their own motivation and not because we want them to play in a certain way with a certain toy. As parents the result of play is often more important to us than the process. For children playing is most motivating if they can try out different things and make their own experience.
- There is uninterrupted time to really get immersed into a game. It might take some time for your child to get deeply absorbed into a game. The less distraction the easier it will be for a child to focus. As parents try and refrain from commenting or intervening if not asked to. Enjoy your child being occupied and take a coffee.
- The play is open-ended and not scripted. This means a wooden block can become a tree, a tool, an animal or anything else. It does not matter as long as it has a meaning for the child. Open ended toys are things that can be used in different ways without a clear instruction how to use them. Examples include wooden blocks, Lego, magnetic tiles, but also natural and recycled materials, such as boxes, jars, cardboard, etc. Often simple daily used items (especially kitchen items) or natural materials are most interesting for children and can occupy them for long stretches of time.
- And finally, it needs to be enjoyable and fun. Children are motivated and learn best when the experience is enjoyable. If an activity is too difficult children will get frustrated. You can try it at a later stage again. If an activity is too easy, a child will quickly loose interest. You can try to vary the activity to make a bit more challenging.
Meaningful play and how to guide children in a positive way rather than getting stuck in power struggles, is exactly what I teach nannies in my Nanny Training ´Creative Play and Learning´.
The next trainings will start in francophone countries mid-February. Trainings in English, Vietnamese and Amharic will begin in March.
For more information have a look here in French or in English.
How to get started with Playful Learning
In this FREE 3-Day Video-Course I am showing you the first steps you can take to stimulate and engage your child in playful learning activities at home without tantrums and without any materials you have to buy.
Hi, Nice to meet you
Learning and growing up with multiple languages does not have to be hard work. I am Maria, a mother of 3 kids, an development and education expert and Montessori homeschooler. Having lived as a family over ten years in Africa and Asia I know exactly how challenging it can be to get access to high quality educational activities. With my step-by-step playful learning method, I am showing you how to raise little happy multilingual learners with limited time and only using local materials.
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