What Kids Are Learning While They Play

If you’re a parent then you likely already know what studies show: that play-based learning is essential – not just for young children to develop physically, but also academically, socially and emotionally. This holds true even more so for those five and under. For them, the impact of play is especially vital since their small but forming brains are wired to learn the most fundamental life skills through playful activities.

What Is Happening in Young Children’s Brains When They Play?

Neuroscientists and kindergarten teachers alike recognise that “free play” without the interruption of overinvolved adults is crucial in the development of the prefrontal cortex. You know, the part of the brain that will go on to regulate reasoning, decision-making, social behavior, and other vital cognitive behaviors. Kind of important stuff!

Through play, kids explore the world around them, make sense of new concepts, and build important skills. To name a few:

Social and Emotional Skills: How is your little one at sharing and taking turns? Acting out feelings in role-playing scenarios helps build empathy by understanding the emotions of others.
Cognitive Development: When a child builds with blocks, they learn about cause and effect, spatial relationships, and problem-solving. They also develop early math skills like counting and understanding shapes.
Language Skills: During pretend play, like playing house or using dolls, children expand their vocabulary and practice communication. They learn to express ideas, negotiate roles, and follow narratives.
Physical Strength and Control: Stacking and rearranging toy parts develop dexterity, motor skills and coordination, as well as overall control over their bodies.
Math skills: For example, a child acting as a cashier could be practicing one-to-one correspondence and learning the concept of numbers.

Parents sometimes sweat the small stuff, but you really don’t need to. No matter what they’re playing, as long as the toys are healthy and high quality, they are benefitting in some way. During pretend play, like playing house or using dolls, children expand their vocabulary and practice communication. They learn to express ideas, negotiate roles, and follow narratives. In group play, children learn to share, take turns, and cooperate. They experience empathy by understanding the emotions of others, like when comforting a friend or acting out feelings in a role-playing scenario.

Meanwhile, anything that gets them to move is a good thing. Activities like running, jumping and stacking toys help improve motor skills and coordination as children develop physical strength and better control over their bodies.

Why Learning Toys Help Kids Develop Through Play

Ever heard of learning toys? These are toys that encourage academic skills through activities that will be directed by even the littlest children. These are the ones that are so engrossing that the little tykes will lose themselves in play. Think: small, safe pieces ready to be counted, or removed and then replaced in the same little space, over and over. It helps to be selective, though, and look for games and activities specifically designed to be both enjoyable and beneficial for small children.

It doesn’t take much for parents to come up with activities that are designed to offer educational benefits to their kids. All they need to do is inform themselves about the kinds of activities they are considering. These can be based on specific skills they’d like to help their child develop, but they can also be more open-ended ideas that have some learning component.

Find Out How Wonder & Wise Toys Can Help Your Child Learn

Play is not just fun. It’s the foundation for crucial skills and knowledge children need to thrive. Check out Wonder & Wise online and you’ll see that there’s no end to the ways that play encourages learning at home, and even on the road.