Learning Through Play - Some Brilliant Tips To Help You To Be The Best Moms And Dads!

Children learn through play and practical action. They develop cognitive skills such as-

1) problem solving through simple activities like packing the bag

2) math through accompanying you to the shop and helping you count money

3) Creative Thinking through trying different forms of art styles

4) Social skills by interacting with others kids and family members, and so on.

Play is essential for the thorough cognitive and social development of a child. Therefore, to help you give your child a wonderful childhood along with a strong fundamental base of cognitive and social skills, we are giving you 5 awesome tips on play-based learning!

1. Use of props

Use props such as dolls, puppets, kitchen-sets, etc. and allow role-playing activities. Use of props sparks imaginative thinking and motor skills. Allow children to have this experience while playing with others as well as by themselves. Children observe and imitate the adults they see around themselves. You can also use this knowledge to teach them new skills or inculcate positive values in them. For example, if they are playing with a doctor set, you can perhaps play with them and use the stethoscope and other toy equipment in a way that teaches them its functionality. Or if you are playing with other character toys, you can weave stories around the toys, and interact with the toys in a way (such as by using kind words) that teaches them the values of love and friendship.

2. Turn off electronics

Electronics create a more prominent loop of only information intake, and from very little to no actual formation of original thought or creativity. Therefore to spark creative output, deep thinking and active imagining, allow your child to tune out of any form of electronic distractions, such as- television, cellphones, computer or video games and simply let them interact with their natural, immediate environment.

3. Don`t “make them” participate in activities they don`t enjoy

Playing is supposed to be fun! And if playing becomes forced, it just turns into a chore. Forced playing can become detrimental rather than positive. It may ignite negative reactions such as- dullness, avoidance and inexpressibility in the child. Therefore, remember that when it comes to playing, child knows best! So let your child`s heart run wild and help them get to avenues that actually excite them!

4. Choose the right toys

While it`s a true privilege for a child to have any toy at all, considering how many children do not experience the joy of playing with toys during their childhood, if its possible for you to provide your child with options for toys, choose toys that don`t just occupy your child but which let your child engage with it more creatively or allow them to use problem-solving with it. STEM toys and puzzles are great examples of good toys that also help the children to exercise their cognition.

5. Let them fail!

Failure is an unavoidable part of life, and its important to simply follow our child`s lead in play, and let them fail sometimes. Failure always brings important lessons- opportunities to learn from our mistakes, and to do things better. Therefore, failure is a beautiful lesson to be learnt where we learn to face and overcome life`s many hurdles- big or small.

We hope that you enjoyed this blog. To read more such enriching parenting-related content, please visit Parenting Nuggets.