Learning Through Play

By: Paul Southern
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:20:38
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When we consider the manner in which kids play, what is really happening is, they are learning. The toys they play with, the various ways they interact with their toys is simply them developing their imaginations and the skills they will need as they develop. The more they play the more they are learning, but it's not just simply sitting nicely playing with their favorite toys that constitutes good learning.

Young children often find difficulties playing on their own, you may find this manifested in a number of ways, perhaps they will cry, perhaps they will become quite clingy towards Mum or Dad, perhaps they will become a little destructive, this is generally simply a cry for attention, and although as they get older it wont pay to give in to a tantrum, at a young age, they are simply looking for you to play with them and their toys. They will after a while begin to entertain themselves, but it will take them time to learn how to do that.

The good news is, although your attentions will be called upon in large amounts early on, what children see as play, is not always what you would imagine, they simply crave inclusion. This doesn't mean you need to stop what your doing and play with them and their toys, you simply need to make whatever you are doing seem fun to them and get them involved, this could include some of the following ideas:

- Do the washing up, with them standing on a chair next to you helping.

- Let them help with the tidying up, perhaps putting toys away whilst you hoover.

- Involve them with the washing, kids love helping pull the wet clothes out the machine and put the dirty clothes in.

- If you're preparing food, let them help in some small way, perhaps mixing, or at least watching closely what you are doing.

Its important though out such activities you talk to your child, make them feel involved, after all a child that is bored and uninspired is an unhappy child that is learning little.

Routines

Often parents find they get frustrated with their children as they will not conform to the recognised routines we all find ourselves getting into. Children don't work like adults, they have little concept of time and although specific routines such as bedtime and meal times should be promoted, its always important you try not to stick to a rigid timetable, attempts to do so will result in both parent and child frustration, so try not to stick to hard and fast rules such as, not going out to play when there is washing to do, it can wait, your child can't.

Physical fitness

It's very important through the medium of play to allow your child's physical fitness to blossom. Children are facinated by simple physical activity, wheather its crawling, walking, running, jumping or climbing and this should be fully encouraged, the more activity you can involve them in, generally the happier they will be, they are also more likely to sleep better, and for longer. A few tips to assist with this:

- Make your house childproof so they can move around in safety (please see article section at rasisethekids.com for tips as to how)

- Ensure floors are kept clean

- Allow babies to lay, kick and roll about as they wish, this is excellent early exercise.

- Take a look around your local area, there are plenty of parent child groups you can enrol in, they are generally inexpensive and other fantastic development opportunities for children, both my children attend a locally run music and dance group! Don't be afraid to take them to such groups from an early age, they will enjoy it and it will give you the chance to chat with other parents.

- When taking your toddler out, don't automatically take the buggy, encourage them to walk with you rather than be pushed around, it will take a little longer to get places, but they will benefit in the long run.

- Take your toddler to the park regularly, they will get to climb about, run, play on the swings and slides and of course, they will have the chance to interact with other children!

- There is no need to wait for your child to have had immunisations before taking them swimming. Swimming is fantastic exercise and great fun for your child, as well of course as developing their confidence in the water from and early age, this is an excellent starting point for them learning to swim.

On a final note, many parents are very anti television, personally i find television, providing it's well managed, is an excellent way for children to learn and develop. The trick is, choose carefully what your children watch, as often as possible watch it with them and talk about the show and characters afterwards, and of course encourage your kids to join in with songs, music and dance that is easily found on many of the dedicated childrens channels.

Written on behalf of http://www.raisethekids.com

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