A lot of parents are taking a different approach towards encouraging our kids to learn and we’ve moved on from the old-school intense drilling to giving our children the opportunity to learn whilst playing.
For some of us, we prefer to get our hands dirty and make the materials ourselves (read here for tips on that), but a lot of mums are drawn to the materials that are out there. Besides, who doesn’t love to shop? There are plenty, and I mean plenty, of toys, materials, playthings and teaching aids out there and most of them are so well-crafted we cannot resist not adding to cart!
If you’re confused and overwhelmed by all that’s out there, and how to use them appropriately, Xue Wei, the founder of @thehappytots.sg, has kindly shared 4 tips on encouraging learning through play, and how some of their curated items can help facilitate that.
Tip #1: Always try to engage their curiosity.
Curiosity is often the start of interest. For younger children, you can spark their curiosity by asking questions and making verbal remarks while observing an object together. “What colour do you think this is? What do you think will happen if we put this here? Wow, it fits right in!”
For this, Xue Wei recommends their Wooden Toy House. Besides learning to identify colours, shapes, and numbers, this wooden block house also encourages hand eye coordination and motor skills. Each piece can be used as a conversation starter with questions like “What if I try to slot this in here?”.
Tip #2: Encourage independent play and nurture imagination.
Kids can come up with the weirdest and most interesting scenarios when they’re allowed to use their imagination. Create scenes, take on different roles with them and exaggerate verbal descriptions. “What a HOT HOT HOT day!”
Xue Wei says that their Birthday Cake Play Set is one of the toys that encourages imaginative play, and we agree! You can use this set and get your child to create various settings (a picnic, birthday party, cake shop) and take on the different roles (host, guest, shop owner). This activity fosters social skills, empathy, and creativity. Through imaginative play, children also get to improve and develop their language. Discuss the ingredients, ask them to describe the cake and its decorations, and encourage them to narrate stories. This enhances their vocabulary, communication skills, and storytelling abilities.
Tip #3: Get creative!
A little mess is okay, right? Bring out the markers and paints, and don’t hide the glitter! Kids love to create their own masterpieces so encourage your child to explore their creativity. Appreciation and pursuit of beauty as found in art can aid your child in creative expression of emotions and ideas.
The Wooden Heart Stackers Painting Set is a perfect tool to give your child the opportunity to get creative and express their thoughts and feelings in a positive manner. Kids can experiment with colours, lines, shapes and textures. Allow them to try out different materials and tools too – use sponges and strings dipped in paint or let them go wild painting with their fingers! Once done, engage them in conversation by asking questions about their choice of colour, pattern or texture. On top of that, holding and manipulating the paintbrushes is also good practice for fine motor skills!
Tip #4: Bring stories to life.
Who says a book has to be just that? Books can serve as a valuable tool for teaching children important life lessons and enhance skills like storytelling, empathy, problem-solving and creative thinking.
“Please Help Planet Earth” is a great example of a book that can go beyond its pages. Encourage your child to engage with the story by asking open-ended questions, such as how they think the Earth might feel or what they can do to make a difference. This fosters empathy and encourages them to connect with the concept of environmental stewardship. Creating scenarios where they can solve environmental challenges, such as cleaning up a polluted area or saving endangered animals, encourages problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity. You can even go a step further and provide them with materials and get crafty!
Photos from The Happy Tots.
Enjoy 10% off all orders until 31 December 2023 with promo code “EM10”.
Founded with the vision of creating happy memories for children everywhere, The Happy Tots is a play-based learning toy store that provides a collection of toys and books specially curated for your little ones to fill up their play worlds. Our toys are sourced from trusted global brands which uphold strict standards of production and safety testing. As your child grows and develops, their toys evolve with them, offering continued opportunities for play and learning. Visit us at https://thehappytots.sg
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