Play
Play-Based Learning
“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn”
-O. Fred Donaldson
Our children are full of wonder, curiosity, and desire to play. Our hope is that we can look at possibilities through the eyes of our little ones and engage them in learning opportunities that capture these moments.
Play-based learning doesn’t have to be created with the latest toys, games or technology. In fact, when children play with simple materials, it allows a greater opportunity for them to expand their imagination and use complex thinking skills. Allowing children large chunks of time offline to dig into their interests, wonders and new learning is important.
Our new reality in our homes is different from that of classroom or regular online learning. Everyone in your household carries their own wealth of knowledge and experience that can be shared with one another. Grandparents, parents, siblings, and even your pets, can all play a part.
Ideas to Explore With Your Children
Wonder Walks This is a great way to connect to nature. Numeracy and Literacy connections can be made through counting, singing, creating lists of what was seen, sorting objects collected along the way.
Loose Parts What is in the junk drawer or recycling? Providing children with loose parts invites them into open-ended play. They can use their creations to build, count, make patterns, and create pictures and stories.
Space Redesign Take time to create learning spaces around the house. Where could your cozy reading corner be? What would you want in it, a snuggly blanket? A pillow? Some of your favourite stories? What spaces are needed to work on math investigations or journalling?
Songs, Stories and Rhymes, Oh My! How many words rhyme with your name? Or your pet's name? If you could write a song about your family, what would you say? What would a comic strip of your next family adventure look like?
Building Challenges This is a great way to build numeracy skills! How many blocks did it take to build your tower? How many would it take to build a tower as high as the counter? Challenges such as these support a growth mindset with your child. Throughout the process, reflect on what went well? What was tricky? What could you do differently next time?
Outdoor Kitchens This is a great way to dig into messy fun! This helps to support sensory processing, creativity and imaginative play. All you need are a few pots or bowls, spoons, and cups for scooping and pouring. How many scoops of snow would be needed for your mud pie recipe?
Wonder Wall Children are full of questions! Reserve a special place in your home to capture what your child is wondering or questioning. Write the question on a sticky note or paper and place it on your child’s wall or on the fridge. Throughout the week pick one of their questions to explore and answer together.
Dramatic Play If you were to go on a scavenger hunt around the house to find old hats, scarves, mittens and old costumes, what would you come up with? How might these odds and ends prompt role play and the creation of new stories?
Baking and Cooking This is a great place to develop skills such as following instructions, organizing materials, exploring chemistry and practicing mathematical thinking. Plus you get to eat whatever you make!