Let the children learn through play

Children learn through PLAY!

Is learning work or play? In the society and culture of the developing country I grew up in, academic success was seen as the only way out of poverty and unemployment, especially in the rural areas.

So we worked hard, and made sure we achieved what we were expected to do, i.e. for survival or making our parents and society proud. However, throughout the long journey, we had forgotten the meaning of "joy" and the FUN in learning.

Children learn through FUN and PLAY

Children learn through play, through hands on activities and experiences that makes sense, and engaging with adults that they trust.

They learn through mimicking and modeling from adults. They learn to attach their actions to the meaning of words or symbols.

I am an advocate of children learning through fun, which means doing something that is age appropriate and it makes sense to them. Not only will they enjoy what they are doing, they are literally enjoying the experience of:

• doing things together with you, which is very enjoyable to them
• learning through FUN and play and something that they can relate to and at the level they can understand
• creating opportunities to connect with you.

How can children benefit from helping you out in the kitchen for example?

Younger child:

For example, let them help you in the kitchen – washing the vegetables, chopping potatoes, sorting out utensils, helping you with the grocery list,  menu planning or helping you in the garden etc.

For example, for a young child, tell your child to think of a dish that starts with the letter B… or find an ingredient in the fridge that starts with B or P…

Order Child:

And for an older child, ask them what dish would you cook using ingredients x,y and z? How would you prepare them? What ingredients would you need for this dish? How would you prepare the ingredients?

Can you find a recipe that starts with the letter B?

Or create a dish that starts with their name… for example Catherine, so what would be a good dish that starts with the letter C… Casserole? Would you prefer a seafood casserole or meat? Which meat?

Do you see how you can be so creative while creating opportunities to connect, and communicate and encourage them with the love of learning through FUN?

Let the children PLAY; when they play, they are actually learning. They learn to be creative, improve their motor skills, and develop their confidence. They learn about their language skills, maths skills… but most of all, they have the chance to spend quality time with you creating, communicating, connecting and having FUN with you – that's the most important thing children need – connections with you.

Go have FUN, and make learning fun for your children.

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