"Rise and shine, it's MONDAY!" Depending on whom, when and how you're saying it, we can imagine the response being, well, a little less than enthusiastic.
It's been a seemingly endless loop of online learning, connection difficulties and screens. Oh, so many, many screens. We all want to give our children the best, so when you're racking your brain as to what on earth you could possibly pull out of the hat next,
JACKPOT!
We've curated a full list of activities, resources and recommended content that you can access over in our earlier posts like this one here, or another top favorite over here.
Let's break down the 4 letter word P. L. A. Y.: As much as the phrase "Learning Through Play" get's tossed around, it's not often it can be summarized in one short outline. And that's because the variations of lear
ning through play are endless.
Play Outside.
Remember when you were young and wanted nothing more than to escape the confines of your classroom and head out into the great outdoors? (Or the hallowed halls of the library). Children NEED regular physical activity each day, especially so with the increased screen and media exposure.
Make it a household rule that your child gets at least 30 minutes of outdoor play, fresh air and natural sunlight each day. Even if it's just going for a nature walk, having a quick walk around the block, or catching a fresh breeze up on your rooftop, make time for sunshine!
Let your child explore their imagination.
Pretend play is a great way to incorporate foundation learning aspects. It's especially useful when trying
to motivate your child with subjects they find difficult or boring. Try some spontaneous practical life games like number placement (while at the grocery store), reading skills (Try reading out loud in different accents, or picking out the first letter of your name while on a drive) and social skills (reverse roll play and have your child "be parent" for an hour.
We want our children to be self sufficient, and that includes encouraging them to ask questions about things they don't understand, or subjects that interest them. As every parent can testify, children are naturally inquisitive. Our goal is to find the balance between nurturing our child's curiosity while establishing the boundaries of things they can question and things they can't (e.g. house rules, parent boundaries etc.)
Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple ways when they play. It gives them a place and a different view of learning that they can't experience simply by completing a worksheet. Look for ways to incorporate practical life play in your child's everyday schedule, such as playing "Shop" using household objects, paper currency and added decorative flair. Try slipping in some social skills and play restaurant, taking turns being the chef, the hosts and the customers.