11 Play-Based Learning Activities

Due to the importance of play in a child's development, the UN declared it a child's fundamental right. Credited for development of cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills in children, incorporating play into early learning Croydon is very important.

The major goal of education is to develop critical and innovative thinking, ethical reasoning and creative individuals. Play-based learning aims to develop and sharpen these skills, which are necessary for the overall development of a child.

However, to be considered play, an activity has to:

• * Be enjoyable

• * Have no predefined expectations

• * Be voluntary

• * Actively involve the child

• * Involve make-believe

 

These 11 activities are excellent for helping children learn through play.

1. Role Playing

In roleplaying, children assume a variety of roles. In doing this, they exercise their mental muscles through their power of imagination. They create an imaginary world and play roles to suit their creations.

2. Toy play

Dolls and toys provide a means for labeling and expression of feelings in children. Children also relate to them as they would to humans which helps to sharpen their social skills.

3. Water play

When performed in a coordinated environment, water play is a great way to improve a child's coordination, build their muscle and experiment.

4. Playdough

With an infinite number of things to make from dough, the learning possibilities are also limitless. Not only does it develop children's creativity, it also helps to improve fine motor skills as well as eye-hand coordination.

5. Running and jumping.

As unrelated to learning as it may seem, running, jumping, climbing and other related physical activities have been found to help children increase their resilience and confidence. It also helps develop gross motor skills.

6. Nature play

Few things teach a healthy regard for the environment as well as nature play for children. Besides being healthy, being in nature helps children become more curious about their environment.

7. Pretend cooking

In pretend cooking, a child's mathematical skills are sharpened. Thoughtfulness, decision making and other social skills are also put into good use in this play method.

8. Blocks and jigsaws

Children are able to identify different shapes, colors and sizes. Their spatial and logical reasoning is also improved.

9. Board games

Board games of all kinds involve reasoning and use of logic. They help develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. Children also become better strategic thinkers as their brain function significantly increases.

10. Sand

It helps build children's muscles and improve coordination as they dig, sift, scoop and pour. It is also a great foundation for scientific learning. Sandplay can also improve social skills if it is done alongside a friend. Through means like this, a child learns teamwork, sharing and other social interactions.

11. Painting

Painting allows a child room for expression. It boosts their creativity and improves neural connections.

Children naturally learn by play and are innately inclined towards playing. Providing a structured environment that guarantees lots of possible learning outcomes which also allows a child to play is the greatest task of the facilitator. Creating such an enabling environment ensures that children learn holistically.