Homeschooling: 3 very important benefits of learning through play
I’m a big believer of kids learning through play. I’ve seen the benefits of it in my own children.
Two years ago, I wrote about how we do a lot of hands-on and play in our home schooling, and I’m still an advocate of that. I still believe that learning is much more effective when kids have fun and are taught through things that come naturally to them, like play. (READ: The benefits of hands on Science for kids)
The benefits of play learning extends beyond home schoolers.
Children who are given more time to play are proven to excel more in their academics, are more creative and analytic than their peers, and are much more expressive.
Here are three things my kids and I gain from learning through play:
1. It’s fun for both the kids and me.
The past two weeks had been pretty challenging for me. I came down with flu and some allergy that lasted me more than two weeks. My saving grace included playing with all sorts of toys with my kids such as Monopoly, Mighty Mind and Lego.
It was our home school in those two weeks.
I also let my kids play in the yard. They counted as they shot hoops and squealed as we observed slugs and worms slither by what little soil we have in our premises.
We laugh a lot when we do this and I can honestly say that I feel much closer to my kids because of it. Aside from all the fun and concept application, there was also a lot of bonding happening in our home.
2. Kids are more aware of their emotions and learn how to handle them on their own.
My kids get a lot of opportunities to play with each other and with their friends because they’re home schooled, and play is an integral part of our home school.
Through play, my kids learn to relate more with each other and with their friends. They learn to apply the values we teach them, such as kindness, generosity (like sharing snacks in between), cooperation (when they play in teams) and inclusion (learning to love others despite differences).
3. Spurs imagination and encourages creativity.
My kids have very wild imagination. At times, I would watch all three of them act out scenes they’ve imagined.
We provide them access to costumes and props, like capes, funny hats, swords and bows, or that wrist thingie that Iron man wears. A friend of my 9-year old gave him an Omnitrix watch when he was only five.
Sometimes, they cut out with their own costumes!
I listen to my children tell me their original stories. Our eldest son is learning how to make storyboards and tries to illustrate his ideas using his new camera, a gift from his aunt.
Our 5-year old loves to paint and draw. We make sure that we have endless supply of paper. We try.
And our 4-year old? He loves his cape and does role-playing a whole lot!
Manila Workshops Parenting Pals Workshop Series: Learning through play
If you want to learn more about how you can use play as a tool in teaching your kids and helping them grow, sign up for Manila Workshops-Insular life Parenting Pals series: Learning through play workshop.
It’s an interactive workshop where you will be taught how to integrate and utilise play in teaching kids 0-6 years old.
It’s a great workshop for parents and educators!
The speaker is Child Development and Early Childhood Education Specialist, Dr. Teresa Lilia Ayaso-Cabusora.
Here are the rest of the details:
Referral code: FHMPPPLTP1
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2015
Time: 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Venue: Insular Life Multi-Purpose Hall, 12th Floor Insular Life Makati Building, Ayala Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas Street, Makati City
Learning Fees: P350 per participant | P600 per couple
I promote workshops I strongly believe are worth investing in. I’ve signed up to do affiliate marketing for Manila Workshops and I get a small commission when you register using my referral code.
CLICK HERE to register.
13 Comments
Eens
I agree to yours, wish my kids can have an outdoor play more…
nhessie agustin
I agree sis. Sometimes, what we can’t teach in the classroom, they can learn through hands on experiences. That’s what I’m trying to do with Choi now.
sarah tirona
this is nice, my daughter really absorbs more info during play then serious studying 🙂
Kero Pinkihan
That is an awesome workshop! If it came sooner, I would have signed up – but now my son is 7. Anyhow, I hope plenty of parents will sign up and learn to appreciate significance of playtime with kids — and not just leave it to the gadgets like iPad or xbox to entertain them.
May De Jesus-Palacpac
Yes, so true! We can’t help that iPads and Xboxs win sometimes, but we really try hard to keep the kids busy playing and interacting.
Jacq Paraguya
This is nice! I’m happy with how you incorporate play in homeschooling. I want to do the same. 🙂
TweenselMom
I agree with that. Kids are meant to learn through playing, their first education actually comes from playing with us, and then their toys, then their playmates.
May De Jesus-Palacpac
Absolutely. 🙂
Katrina Alcantara
I agree to all of these! 🙂
Maria Teresa Figuerres
I am all for physical play for kids, and if I have my way, that’s the only kind of play that I’d want for my son. I’m so against online play/online games.
dickvincedorry
a mom of a playful kid truly agrees with you
Mamanee San Luis
I have always been an advocate of playtime and that I try as much as to keep them away from gadgets. Well we don’t own an iPad so I guess I’m doing things right. I recently made them a play area where they are free to play away from television and just be surrounded with toys.
Jade Dolor
Love this article. Now that my little girl is a toddler, I’m getting a better understanding of learning through play. It was so much easier to teach her new things a few months ago, but now if she doesn’t enjoy what she’s doing she doesn’t even bother paying attention. Thanks for sharing!