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Playtime is often overlooked as simple recreation, and not a time where ‘real’ learning takes place. What many fail to understand is that the learning process starts as soon as the child is born, and through their own experiences and actions, young children teach themselves.
Observe your own child at play. See how he tries to take apart the toy? Or how he seems to put everything he can grasp into his little mouth? Already he is collecting information on several levels as he interacts with his toys. He is learning how that object feels, and the ways he can manipulate them. He is testing his own strength and motor skills. And he is even checking the toy for taste. He is building up experience/knowledge of all the things they don’t teach in school but is necessary to life. And unlike ‘real’ learning in school, there is no grading system or teacher to spur him to learn. He simply learns while he plays.
Many child development experts now consider play to be the ultimate learning tool. In fact, studies done by the researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, have shown that children who do not play have brains 20 - 30% smaller than children who play.
Many of the world’s great achievers have been known for their childlike energy and interest in learning, similar to the way a child never gets tired of playing his favourite game. Madame Curie, Beethoven, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison – just to name a few. They all shared one thing in common: a deep love of learning that made their climb to greatness an enjoyable one.
Nurture your child’s love of learning!
- Make learning fun and rewarding for both of you! Congratulate him with a smile or a hug when he gives the correct answer or action, and cheer him on to try again when he doesn’t. Play any of the learning games found at the Activities section on this site.
- Encourage questions! Take every question seriously and try to answer as best you can. Even if you don’t know the answer, honestly say you don’t know but will help him find out.
- An encyclopaedia set with pictures is an invaluable tool in answering questions and teaching your child about the much-bigger world outside your home. Give him the information in simple terms and show him the pictures.
- Choose toys that your child can interact with mentally or physically, rather than those he can only watch.
- Make a playground of learning and creativity in your home. Give your child easy access to his toys and a safe area to play.
- Don’t scold your child when he inadvertently breaks a toy; like all great scientists, he will learn from this. There are no negative experiences, only learning experiences.
- Make your garden a paradise of learning! Nature is still the best classroom, with a multitude of life to observe.
- Stimulate your child’s memory and vocabulary with word games, rhymes and songs! These are wonderful at helping form the foundation of language, and reading and writing skills.
- Encourage playmates! Interaction with other kids helps him learn about leadership, friendship, and social relationships. Children also learn from one another as they share their toys.
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