
It’s no secret that play is an important part of a child’s development. In fact, play is so important that the United Nations have recognised it as a human right! Many parents don’t know that they can create a play-based learning environment for their children right at home. You can focus on a variety of skills your child needs to develop, and even follow the advice of preschools and learning centers like Gowrie NSW, which place an emphasis on fine motor activities. In this blog post, we will go over the benefits of play-based learning environments and give you seven ways to create one in your own home!
Why should you choose play-based learning over any other style to incorporate into your home environment? Well, it has been proven that play is one of the best ways children can learn; about themselves and the world around them. Some of the benefits of introducing a play-based learning environment to your home include:
- Helps children to develop important social skills.
- Allows children to express their emotions in a safe and healthy way.
- Helps children to develop important motor skills.
- Helps children to develop important cognitive skills.
- Let children burn off energy and stay active!
Now that we know the benefits of play-based learning, we next need to consider how we can create such an environment at home. While it may seem like a lot of resources and work need to go into setting up the perfect environment for your child, we promise it doesn’t have to be! Here are some easy ways to create a play-based learning environment at home:
Incorporate learning into everyday activities
You can do this by turning simple tasks into learning opportunities. For example, when you’re cooking dinner together, have your child help measure the ingredients or count how many spoonfuls of tomato sauce you’re using. When you’re doing the grocery shopping, ask your child to help you find items on the list or count how many apples you need to buy.
Make use of technology
There are a plethora of learning apps and websites available that can help turn screen time into learning time! Look for apps that focus on specific learning goals such as reading, writing, maths, etc. and use them to supplement your child’s learning.
Create a dedicated learning space
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but dedicate a specific area in your home where learning will take place. This will help your child to associate that space with learning and focus their attention when they are in it.
Get creative with learning materials
There are so many ways to get creative with learning materials! You can use everyday items such as recycled materials, craft supplies, or even toys to create learning opportunities for your child. Additionally, make sure that there is a variety of different play materials available for your child to use. This could include balls, blocks, puzzles, dolls, and more. Here is a creative marshmallow example that you can try.
Set aside time for learning
Just like adults need time to focus on work or other tasks, children also need dedicated time to focus on learning. This could be in the form of structured activities such as learning games or lessons, or it could be unstructured time where your child is free to explore and play with the materials you have provided.
Make sure that you are available
This doesn’t mean that you have to be available all the time, but it does mean being present and engaging when your child is playing.
Be flexible with your play-based learning environment
As your child grows and develops, their needs will change, so make sure to adapt to your environment accordingly.
Creating a play-based learning environment at home is a great way to support your child’s development. By following the tips above, you can create an environment that is tailored to your child’s needs and that will help them to grow and learn in a fun and engaging way!
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