Benefits of play-based learning
As childcare providers, we feel a great deal of pressure to provide children with the most beneficial space to learn and grow. When it comes to development opportunities, play provides so much organic growth for our little ones. There are so many benefits to simply letting our kids…play! There are a variety of science backed articles that provide “pediatrician prescriptions” for children to engage in playtime with parents, caregivers, and peers. When hiring a nanny or enrolling in a daycare, we encourage you to look for centers that include playful approaches to learning. If your family is Local to Washington D.C., we recommend heading over to Gymboree Playspace and Music for some fun indoor play! Continue reading to learn ways to implement play into your day in an effective way.
Birth to 6 Months
Playful learning can start as soon as your baby comes home. When your baby smiles or coos, responding with the same is a form of play that also encourages an important social-emotional skill.
Gently clapping your baby’s hands together and stretching their arms is a way of engaging them in a playful way.
Place your baby in different positions so they’re able to observe the world in different ways.
7 Months to 12 Months
Create a padded and gated environment for your baby to roam freely and explore.
Add a mirror to the wall or find a hand-held mirror for your baby to see themselves.
Allow your baby to hold a safe object and drop it or roll it on the ground as a way to independently explore objects.
Play peek-a-boo!
1 to 3 Years
This is the time that many families explore childcare programs or in home caregivers. Make sure that your thoughts around child-rearing align with those who will be watching your child. If it is important to you, ask what their thoughts are around unstructured play.
This is the age where your child will be more interested in engaging in make-believe play. You can lead by example by pretending to drink out of a play cup or eat pretend food.
Read books regularly with and to your child. Encourage pretend play based on the stories that you’re reading.
4 to 6 Years
Schedule time for your child to interact with other children and build meaningful relationships.
Provide opportunities in your home or outside for your child to dance and move.
This is an age where your children should be encouraged to engage in both make-believe playing and reality. Allow your child to help you with chores and house tasks.
Play is such an important part of your childs development. Lead them by example where you can and allow them to be independent whenever possible. It is tempting to implement structured learning, but remember that they are gaining vital skills through unstructured play.
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