Learning Through Play Essentials (Even for Older Kids)

Learn better. Play smarter. | [View this email in your browser]( Parenting made simpler. Written by experts. Designed for intentional parents. Learning Through Play Essentials (Even for Older Kids) As light at the end of the school-year tunnel approaches and parents plan for summer, inevitably we are often asked for learning tools and strategies to help support academic learning to prevent a 'summer slide'. This year, there is the added layer that many children are coming off a year of distance learning. So, what’s our answer to summer academic learning? Play!! Play is how children explore and understand the world - there is no separation between educational and non-educational play. Learning through play is effectively "what children do when they follow their own ideas and interests, in their own way, and for their own reasons." It is when their curiosity, creativity and imagination are inspired and connected to causal reasoning. The concept gets plenty of buzz during preschool years, but is equally important as your child matures. For example, it could mean: - If you’re working on strengthening your child’s fine motor skills, [draw and write on a salt or sand tray.]( Make it next-level by adding sensory elements - beans, lavender, rice, water, etc. - If your child loves to storytell (an important part of [learning to read]( prompt them to build a diorama out of household recycling remnants or playwright a puppet show. - If there is a topic or issue that your child is passionate about, encourage them to transpose it into a song or author (or illustrate, in the case of younger children) their own 'expert' book. Focus on 'learning-to-learn' skills - the process of *how* to investigate, to question, to research and to share learnings. - If your child loves a particular sport or game, prompt them to practice critical thinking skills by changing-up the rules and equipment needed. Then, ask them to persuade players to play their new game. - If your child is working on [math concepts,]( play with currency (which could range from pompoms, sticks to real coins), or build big with an enormous pile of blocks, or create a large-scale 3D replica (a food truck, castle, spy cave - their imagination is limitless). Better yet, go outside and build with branches, wood chips, leaves, mud, etc. Fun fact: researchers found that the complexity of block play predicts a child’s mathematics achievement in high school. The key is to: 1) notice patterns of what your child naturally enjoys and how they show it, and then build on that; 2) help them see that they can create solutions to real-world problems that are meaningful to them. Keep reading for our curated essentials that re-think how academic learning can be achieved in a playful (unstructured!), hands-on way and that will give your child the initiative to develop a curiosity for learning. P.S. Worth the read - articles that describe learning through play in detail: - [The Cognitive Benefits of Play: Effects on the Learning Brain]( - [Learning Through Play: A Review of the Evidence]( (yes, it’s a long white paper, but we love research!) LEARN + DO [Why Children Should Play Outside]( All the great research-backed reasons for playing outside. Jam-packed with our favorite fun games and learning tools. [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20Plinkit%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2017%2F09%2Fchildren-play-outside%2F) [Share]( LEARN + DO [Activities + Games You Can Do at Home to Support Your Child's Learning]( A curated list of activities + games sourced from all over the Internet that are specifically helpful for supporting your child’s education and development (ages 2-6+). [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20Plinkit%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2020%2F03%2Factivities-games-you-can-do-at-home%2F) [Share]( LEARN + DO [Project-Learning Bingo]( 24 creative + clever project-based learning activities by experienced teachers. (With prompts to fuel your child’s critical thinking, reasoning and creativity skills.) [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20Plinkit%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2020%2F06%2Fproject-based-learning-ideas%2F) [Share]( LEARN + DO [How to Encourage Your Child to Write (and Become a Better Speller)]( A guide of creative and fun everyday activities your child can do to practice their spelling and writing. [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20Plinkit%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2020%2F05%2Fspelling-encourage-your-child-to-write-and-become-a-better-speller%2F) [Share]( SHOP + PLAY [Jumbo Stencils]( One of our most popular items from [How to Teach Your Child to Write.]( Stenciling strengthens small hand muscles, while the simple outline makes way for your child’s imagination. Or, [try it with chalk.]( [BUY NOW]( SHOP + PLAY [Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Game]( Great for all ages. Inspire your child to seek out experiences that get out of their comfort zone, deal with new situations, take reasonable risks and build resilience. All key 'learning-to-learn' skills necessary to be a self-starter. This game is excellent for building that autonomy, persistence and goal-setting. [BUY NOW]( SHOP + PLAY [Hand Puppet]( Puppets are ideal for pretend play, which is linked to the development of language skills, problem-solving, self-regulation and counterfactual reasoning ("What if?" scenarios). Choose an animal or character that connects with your child. [BUY NOW]( SHOP + PLAY [Kapla Blocks]( Block play influences cognitive development and creative problem-solving. These timeless and ageless blocks are an optimal canvas because of their simplicity and uniformity. [BUY NOW]( SHOP + PLAY [Discovery Ramps]( Bring home a unique kit that is found in some of the most intentional and advanced early education classrooms. Or, [experiment with water flow outside.]( [BUY NOW]( Learn better. Play smarter. [EXPLORE OUR TOPICS]( FOLLOW US: Missed a newsletter? [Explore the Archive!]( Our content is written in partnership with the best child development experts. No ads. No sponsored recommendations. Just original content. 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