More and more parents are pulling back on tech access for their kiddos and finding the value in free play time. Play - what a concept! Worries about screen time sapping imagination have led to a resurgence in plain old play amongst parent groups in many areas. While tablets and computers have a place in our world, and even can spur imagination when used well, so many benefits are realized with body movement and brain recharging.
When children have unstructured time, they become builders, inventors, designers, even scientists. They learn to play alone, but also with others, as a team. Body movement is incidental to all of this, as they imagine (and act out) sailing on pirate ships, climbing mountains, being scientists, and building fortresses. They may make gains in gross and fine muscle development, balance, and body awareness in their surroundings … all while they’re playing!
Don’t be afraid to let them get dirty! When children feel free to explore, they try more and do more :) Expending energy in game playing helps their body in so many ways - working out muscles and nerves, refining motor skills, exploring new textures, and … a parent fav… tiring them out!
And boredom is not the enemy … when left to their own devices, with access to simple supplies like cardboard, string, balls, etc., kiddos can become very inventive. Maybe they’ll make a spaceship or a camping tent, maybe they’ll fashion their own tools or playthings. A basket of books with themes like space, dinosaurs, building, etc. might give a little push. One young friend I know made up a game with a take-out drink tray, another with a piece of rope and a berry basket. Leave it open-ended and see where things go!
To get started, grab a box or other container, and start saving dry, clean recyclables - think paper rolls, cereal boxes, packing supplies, (rinsed) bottle tops, etc. Here are some throw-back posts to get you started:
Indoor Play
https://makeearlylearningfun.blogspot.com/2015/07/open-ended-recycled-art.html
https://makeearlylearningfun.blogspot.com/2011/03/remote-learning-make-treasure-from-trash.html
https://makeearlylearningfun.blogspot.com/2011/02/space-is-place.html
Outdoor Play
https://makeearlylearningfun.blogspot.com/2016/07/summer-fun-moving-and-shaking-outdoors.html
https://makeearlylearningfun.blogspot.com/2015/07/social-skills-play.html
Enjoy these tech-less times and the conversations they generate - and have fun!
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