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Play is key to a child's development. Play is often felt to be valuable in Early Years. However, the principles of play are relevant for children of all ages, age appropriate games and activities ideas can be used to support this.
Play and creativity is the natural language for the development of children. It places no pressure upon them and should be a fun experience. There are many different types of play; play can be energetic, rough and tumble or can require great concentration and skill. Other games have an element of make-believe and imagination. Through different kinds of play a child is practising and learning a diversity of skills. For instance, some games encourage co-operation, others help language development and so on.
The best way to encourage your child's play is to get down to their level and to play with their toys yourself - model your child's play. The more relaxed you are, the better. If your child sees you enjoying a game, they will often want to join in. The quality of learning in play also increases when adults join in too.
Play is a safety valve which prevents the build up of frustration. We often talk of children 'letting off steam' in play.
In play, a child seems to re-charge their batteries and find fresh, focused energy.
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The importance of how children learn through play
Play is one of the main ways in which children learn and develop. It helps to build self worth by giving a child a sense of his or her own abilities and to feel good about themselves. Because it’s fun, children often become very absorbed in what they are doing.
Play is very important to a child's development, it is an integral part of a child's Early Years Foundation Stage and supports their learning journey too. Young children can develop many skills through the power of play. They may develop their language skills, emotions, creativity and social skills. Play helps to nurture imagination and give a child a sense of adventure. Through this, they can learn essential skills such as problem solving, working with others, sharing and much more.
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Promoting Early Learning and Development at Home
COVID-19 has led to the likelihood of a significant and unprecedented period of time at home for you and your children. MESHGuides and the University of Chichester, in collaboration with VSO, has produced this booklet to support you in providing fun and engaging home learning opportunities.
They aim to help you through this period and enable you to enjoy time with your child(ren) whilst helping them to learn through play. This guide aims to help you understand more about your child’s development and behaviour by reflecting on the EYFS areas of learning. A range of learning opportunities are highlighted, these ideas show how play and positive interactions can promote effective learning in a fun and informal way.
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Upcoming play activities...
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Family Learning Zoom Challenges
Family Learning Zoom Challenges take place weekly on a Friday, details will be released on FIS Facebook and FIS Twitter every Friday at 11am and the challenges will start on Zoom at 2pm.
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Go WILD with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Join thousands of people taking part in the annual nature challenge, 30 Days Wild! It’s where everyone does one wild thing every day in June.
Sign up online for your free digital pack, full of Random Acts of Wildness and other fun activities.
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Online dance workshop
The Telling of Us is a dance workshop in run by Dance Artist Mary Savva and Entrust Care Partnership. The workshop is also suitable for children with additional needs or disabilities. If you would like to view future Telling of Us workshops contact lynnebarton@entrustcarepartnership.org.uk.
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Get physical with family home workouts
Entrust Care Partnership, in collaboration with Anthony Charles, are starting 'lets get physical at home' workouts from Tuesday 25th May - a perfect activity if your child is missing taking part in sports! Activities are suitable for children with additional needs or disabilities.
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Children’s storybook to help children cope with Covid-19
With the help of a fantasy creature, Ario, this story book explains how children can protect themselves, their families and friends from coronavirus and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with a new and rapidly changing reality. The book is available in multiple languages.
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Storytelling workshop
SpOt Drama, in collaboration with Entrust Care Partnership, are hosting a story telling workshop for ‘The Tiger Who Came To Tea’ on Wednesday 27th May, 14.00 – 14.45, on Zoom. This activity is also suitable for children with additional needs or disabilities.
There are limited spaces so don't miss out!
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Take a look at some of the ideas below to help entertain your family this half term!
- Colour sorting – for example give your children 1 minute to find 5 things in the house that are blue.
- Water play – include plastic containers for pouring/filling, bubble bath, sequins, toys etc.
- Dry rice or pasta play – use car, toys, lego and small world people to create scenes.
- Balloon tennis – two people with one balloon, how long can you keep the balloon from touching the floor?
- Make an indoor or outdoor obstacle course – crawl under a chair, walk with a bean bag/cushion on your head, 10 jumps, 10 hops etc.
- Fence/wall/outdoor ‘painting’ – using a bucket of water and a paintbrush.
- Activities whilst on daily walk – for example tally charts of how many cars pass, take photographs, draw objects you see, collect stones to paint when you return home etc.
- Role play – pretend to be a zoo keeper, teacher, shop keeper etc.
- Teach home skills – washing up, dusting, sorting washing etc.
- Planting/gardening – plant plants/herbs and watch them grow.
- Make paper planes – extend by measuring the distance they fly.
- Cooking/baking – use weighing scales, discuss healthy options, teach how to chop safely etc.
- Chalking on outdoor flooring/slabs – wait for rain or use water to wash chalk away.
Other game favourites…
Card games
Dominoes
Noughts and crosses
Hangman
Simon says
I Spy
Musical statues
For a whole host of activity ideas, take a look at our previous newsletters which have a dedicated activity section with new ideas each time!
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As always, please follow the latest advice on Coronavirus (COVID-19):
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If you have been forwarded this newsletter and would like to sign up, click here.
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Keep up-to-date with Warwickshire Family Information Service
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The above newsletter provides you with links to other websites which are not under the control of Warwickshire County Council. Therefore, we have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. Warwickshire County Council does not guarantee, approve, recommend, promote or endorse the information or views expressed on these sites and therefore any reliance you place on such information is entirely at your own risk.
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