How to incorporate learning into child’s play

Jan 11, 2024 Ellipse 37

Category: Health & Happiness

Every parent wants the absolute best for their children. They worry about their kids’ education and brain development especially, and it can be a difficult tug-of-war between wanting them to excel academically and enjoying their childhood through play and exploration.

Luckily, there are many ways to incorporate learning into play time, at all ages. First, we’ll cover a few general areas and tips for doing this that are applicable to kids of all ages, and then we’ll zoom in on particular age groups and offer specific tips for fostering healthy brain development in children.

1. Interest Based Learning

Interest based learning is exactly what it sounds like: it uses a child’s passions and areas of strength or curiosity as the foundation for educational endeavors. Many people associate it with Montessori or Waldorf education methods.

An example helps us illustrate the concept: if a child is very interested in outer space, a caregiver or teacher would read or assign them books about space, perhaps build a model of the solar system, or take a telescope out at night to look for constellations.

On the other hand, interest based learning can help get kids interested in topics that they don’t like. If a child loves crafting but struggles with geometry, a parent could use geometric principles in a sewing project for hands-on education of difficult concepts.

In many ways, interest-based learning is the science-backed principle behind incorporating play into learning, and it can be incredibly effective and transformative for kids and caregivers alike. Next, let’s look at a few different areas where interest-based learning can be utilized.

2. Spend Tons of Time Outdoors

There are so many reasons for parents to encourage outdoor play and exploration. For one thing, this kind of play fosters the development of gross and fine motor skills, which is the basis for many other types of learning and health. As they get older and these skills are further along, children also get hands-on learning about physical concepts and the natural world.

Outdoor time also helps kids regulate their bodies and their energy, which helps them sleep and eat better—all important for overall health. They develop muscles, gain exposure to germs to boost their immunity, and get other important physical benefits, including Vitamin D from sunshine.

Outdoor play also helps boost creativity, and it is time away from screens. When children play on playgrounds and meet other kids, it also helps their social and emotional development.

Spend time outside as a family to model healthy behaviors. Incorporate children into your favorite activities, whether it’s biking, running, hiking, skiing, or even yard work. Explore local parks and trails; you can even opt for outdoor seating at restaurants when available. Kids model their caregivers, so it’s important to espouse this type of learning for their sake.

With so many amazing benefits, time spent outdoors is never wasted. Let’s look at some of the other ways caregivers can encourage learning through play.

3. Educational Toys

Toys that contribute to a child’s education are an amazing tool to encourage learning through play.

How can you tell if a toy is educational? It’s trickier than you might think, especially since any toy can become educational depending on the child. However, toys that are specifically geared toward education will usually advertise themselves as such. Some of it, though, comes down to knowing your child and what they like or how they play.

Generally speaking, an educational toy is meant to teach a specific subject or lesson or is meant to help a child develop a physical skill. This should be easily identifiable in a toy that is truly educational. Make many of these toys available to kids of all ages, but remember that utilizing imagination is also good for learning and brain development. Kids don’t need to spend every waking minute learning a specific lesson.

4. Utilize Narratives

Traditional narrative structures allow children to learn cause and effect, interpret and make sense of the world around them, and learn communication skills.This is true at any age, though as kids get older, the narratives should become more complex. Always be creating a cohesive story through play.

As you play with your child, ask them a lot of questions. For example, if your six-year-old has dressed up as a fire-fighter, ask them if they work in the city or the country, how many fires they have put out, or ask them about the last person they rescued. Open-ended questions are best at all ages.

5. Screen Time

Ah, the dreaded screen time. Experts warn against too much technology for kids for all kinds of reasons, and it has even become a source of shame for parents. But maybe it shouldn’t be so derided. For one thing, children need to learn to use technology; after all, computers, phones, and tablets aren’t going away anytime soon, and they’ll almost certainly use them in school.

For another, there are many educational applications and programs that kids can use to incorporate play into education and learning. We’re not advocating sticking children in front of screens all day, but during their limited screen time, have them engage in activities that foster brain development.

(Ages 2-4)

1. Spend time with peers.

Much of the important learning at this stage happens through interactions with other kids. Even if you have other children in the home, it’s important for preschool-age children to interact with many people, including people their own age. They learn important social skills, learn to problem-solve and develop language skills. Educational or interest based learning works great in these small groups.

2. Play with your child.

There are too many good reasons to do this than we can name in this short article, but this is one of the most important things you can do. Pretend play with kids helps them safely explore themselves and their world and builds relationships and trust. It also allows parents to discover their child’s interests and strengths.

3. Find a preschool that shares your values.

If your child is going to attend preschool, find one that jives with your beliefs about learning through play. Montessori specifically tailors their programs to this philosophy, but some kids need more structure. Interview school directors and even classroom teachers before enrollment if you can.

Read to them. Nothing sparks a child’s imagination quite like reading. Reading lots of books or many varieties helps kids (and parents) discover their interests, which makes interest based learning more accessible.

(Ages 5-8)

1. Get excited about school.

How many kids complain that they hate school? It doesn’t have to be this way! Parents can play a big role in getting their kids excited about school and learning, and play is a great way to do it. Before the school year starts, play “school” with your children, and let them be the teacher. Once the year is underway, find out what they’re learning about and find play-based activities for home to encourage further exploration. Finally, be involved in school functions and events, and get excited about them with your kids.

2. Create time and space for imaginative play.

All the education toys in the world will not help learning through play if they are not used. Designate an area in your home—be it a basement playroom, a corner of the living room, or your child’s bedroom—that is designated for creative play. Make it a fun space where your child can retreat, but don’t be afraid to play with them, as this interaction is still important for their development.

3. Use interest based learning.

Take learning outside their classrooms by incorporating school topics in their play and fun activities. Now that they are a little bit older, you can discover more about their strengths, weaknesses, passions, and dislikes. Use school topics to play and build skills outside of the classroom.

(Ages 9-10)

1. Explore and develop hobbies and talents.

By this age, you know a lot about what your child is good at and enjoys, and what they do not gravitate toward. It’s time to get more involved in those passions, whether they’re playing an instrument, engaging in a sport or dance, or lots of home science experiments and building projects. Look into local clubs or lessons for your child, and always emphasize the fun aspects to make sure that they continue to enjoy this type of play learning.

2. Prioritize imaginative play.

It is often around this age that children gravitate away from imaginative play, but studies show that it can still be tremendously beneficial and important. What is more, as schedules fill up, it is easy for families to become very busy. That’s why it is a caregiver’s job to make sure it stays part of a child’s routine.

Making time for their imaginations to run wild and for them to use their bodies creatively helps them make connections between themselves and their world, as well as helps their brains grasp and solve more complex problems. Provide age-appropriate tools and toys to facilitate this kind of play learning, and keep on playing with them.