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Thursday, December 10, 2015
9 Essential Skills That Kids Build on the Playground
What's your child's favorite activity on the playground? Whether they enjoy tag games, the swings, or four square, they learn essential skills as they play. I took a few minutes today to jot down nine skills my girls and your kids learn as they play on the playground. Learn about the value of play, then head out and have fun!
Develop Gross and Fine Motor Skills
As kids of all ages swing, jump, balance, and slide, they develop motor skills that help them walk, run, and even hold a pencil better. Research shows that imitating other kids, particularly while climbing, improves motor skills, and balancing on a bridge or balance beam hones locomotion skills. Even holding onto monkey bars, following the leader, and grasping the swings' chains develop essential motor skills.
Get Along With Anyone
I don't know about your local playground, but ours attracts a cornucopia of kids. They're different ages, sizes, and personalities, and that means my girls gain plenty of opportunities to learn how to get along with anyone. I love watching them negotiate game rules, assert themselves when someone gets too bossy, and encourage shy kids to join in the fun as they play.
Improve Physical Health
On the playground, my girls exercise and don't even realize it. Pumping the swings, climbing the rock wall, and working the see-saw gives them a full-body workout and improves their physical health.
Include Kids of All Abilities
Inclusive playgrounds are some of my favorite innovations. I love watching kids of all abilities play together thanks to the wheelchair accessibility and specially designed equipment. My girls also learn to include and appreciate kids of all abilities, two valuable skills they need for success in life.
Expand Emotional Control
We've all watched our kids lose their cool on the playground, but that doesn't mean we avoid playgrounds. Instead, I appreciate that my girls get to practice their ability to tolerate frustrations, exercise self-control, and walk away from trouble all while interacting with their playmates.
Exercise Their Imaginations
If you've ever watched kids play together, you know that it doesn't take long for them to start using their imaginations. Whether they pretend the jungle gym is a castle, hide from aliens in the tubes, or invent conversations while using talk tubes, I love watching my girls use and stretch their imaginations on the playground.
Improve Balance and Coordination
When my girls were toddlers, I held them as they sat on the see-saw, walked on the balance beam, and slid down the slide. Practice and time, though, have improved their balance and coordination. Your kids learn these skills, too, as they play.
Develop Language Skills
Toddlers who are just learning how to talk do so primarily through practice and imitation. Rhyming games and songs are two activities that help kids develop language skills on the playground. Older kids, too, learn to communicate in meaningful ways as they interact with others kids as they play.
Promote Free Play
At home, in the classroom, and after school, our kids follow a structured schedule. They need time to play whatever they want in the way they want. I know I enjoy watching my girls pretend they're dragons, work hard to master the monkey bars, and giggle on their favorite swing. On the playground, they're free from structure and able to just relax and be themselves.
Playgrounds do more than give kids something to do after school or on the weekend. They're education centers that teach, hone, and develop essential skills. What skills will your kids learn at your local playground today?
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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Tuesday, December 8, 2015
7 Ways to Give the Gift of Play
Everyone loves receiving gifts during the holiday season. Giving is pretty fun, too, though. I know I love choosing presents my girls will love and use, and watching their excitement when they open their gifts is priceless. In addition to blessing your loved ones this year, consider giving the gift of play to kids around the world thanks to these seven tips.
Donate to KaBOOM!
Kids shouldn't have to play in junkyards or on the streets, but there's often nowhere else for them to play if they live in an impoverished area. KaBOOM! builds playgrounds in these neighborhoods and has served more than eight million kids since 1996. Your financial donation inspires communities and gives kids a safe and fun place to play.
Donate to Playworks
Playworks believes in the power of play. They use financial donations to train and equip people to deliver top-quality play to children all over the world. Your donation can provide a playbook of 400 games to schools or train a junior coach. Because Playworks is one of 2015's top-rated nonprofit organizations, donate with confidence because your money is going to a good cause, which is pretty cool in my opinion!
Donate to Shelters and Thrift Stores
In some homes, kids give away two items for every one item they get. I love this idea because it encourages kids to be generous and prevents overflowing shelves, bins, and toy boxes of stuff no one uses. A local homeless shelter, orphanage, or thrift store will gladly accept donations of gently used toys, games, and books as your family shares a little love with kids in need this holiday.
Donate to Local Parks
Most community parks, playgrounds, and nature preserves rely on donations to keep their grounds maintained and programs running year-round. Give a financial donation this holiday or set up a time for your family to clean up trash, pull weeds, or paint picnic tables. Your donation keeps outdoor recreational areas open and accessible for families.
Donate to Operation Warm
It's impossible for kids to play outdoors during the chilly winter months when they don't have a warm coat. Since my girls grow like weeds, I donate their gently used winter coats to Operation Warm every year. This way, other kids can be warm as they enjoy playing outside after school or during recess.
Donate to Operation Christmas Child
More than a million kids around the globe receive Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes every year. Those boxes include toys, games, and hygiene items. Get your kids involved in filling boxes for kids their age, and share the fun of play with others this holiday.
Donate to Toys for Tots
My kids take new toys for granted, but some kids don't receive toys for the holiday. When you buy something for the kids in your life, purchase an extra gift or two for Toys for Tots. Most department, big-box, and grocery stores feature Toys for Tots bins where you can donate new, unwrapped toys. More than 97 percent of your donation helps less fortunate children, and that fact makes Toys for Tots a top-rated charity that focuses on play.
Your kids, like mine, may take play for granted. This year, you can make a donation that gives play to kids who need it. Which of these play organizations will you and your family support this year?
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
Playgrounds
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Sunday, November 22, 2015
Happy Earth, Healthy Family: 9 Tips for Eco-Friendly Play and Parenting
As they play and go about their daily routines, our kids come in contact with at least 700,000 toxins. These chemicals harm our children and the environment. That's why I decided to fight back. I'm implementing nine tips that create a happy earth and a healthy family, and I hope you'll join me.
Invest in Eco-Friendly Toys
From baby's first rattle to the electronics our teens enjoy, eco-friendly toy options are everywhere. There are dozens of ways to invest in green toys for your kids, but my favorites are purging plastics, buying toys with a trusted manufacturer, and stocking multi-purpose toys.
Buy Used
Our home is filled with used books, furniture, and sports equipment. And you know what? These secondhand items work the same as new items! In thrift or consignment stores, at garage sales, or during neighborhood swaps, stock your home with used items, too, as you reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Collect Litter
In your neighborhood, park, or city, you can play a litter collection scavenger hunt game and reduce trash. We grab gloves and trash bags, then pick a few outrageous categories, like neon green bottles or baseball caps. The team that finds the most of these special items wins, but the environment also wins as we do our part to reduce litter.
Recycle Playground Equipment
When choosing playground equipment for the backyard or for your child's school, look for recycled options first. Whether you opt to relocate a gently used jungle gym from someone else's backyard or purchase recycled flooring, the kids have fun as you invest in their healthy future.
Wear Sustainable Clothing
I don't advocate that everyone run around naked, but I do encourage you to wear eco-friendly clothes. Choose options made from sustainable fiber sources like hemp and bamboo, and look for eco-friendly dyes, too. Personally, I also recommend secondhand clothing, donating your kids' gently used items, and gathering your kids for a monthly craft day when you repurpose outgrown clothing into shopping bags, winter gloves, and other functional stuff.
Eat Seasonal Snacks
My local farmers' market always sells a variety of fresh fruits and veggies that I turn into delicious snacks for the week. I feel good about buying local because this one step reduces carbon emissions and supports my organic farming neighbors. I realize, though, that not everyone has a local farmers' market. If that describes you, follow guidelines from the Environmental Working Group and buy organic milk, juice, and these produce items whenever possible:
- Apples
- Bell peppers
- Blueberries
- Celery
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Strawberries
Hydrate the Healthy Way
Staying hydrated is one of the most important parts of play, but we don't want our kids using water bottles that leak toxins. Instead, we use BPA-free sippy cups and stainless steel water bottles.
Implement Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips
Most kids I know get dirty when they play, and that means you have laundry and tons of it. Make your laundry routine eco-friendly when you:
- Install a high-efficiency washer and reduce water usage.
- Make your own laundry detergent.
- Wash full instead of partial loads.
- Use cloth diapers.
- Hang your clothes to dry.
These five tips alone can yield big environmental savings and are easy on your wallet, too.
Use Non-Toxic Cleaners
Take a look around your kids' play room and you see dozens of surfaces. What chemicals are on your kids' toys, table, or floor? Clean the surfaces your kids touch every day with nontoxic cleaners. Baking soda and white vinegar are two of my favorite pantry products because they disinfect and clean. You can also dilute the cleaning products you already own as you take steps to clean green.
Maybe we can't control all of the chemicals in our kids' lives. But we can create a happy earth and healthy family when we take these nine steps. I'd also love to hear other ways you make play time and every day eco-friendly for your family.
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
Playgrounds
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Friday, November 20, 2015
Climb to Success: 5 Ways That Play Preps Kids for the Future
What are your kids going to be when they grow up? My girls don't have their future life journeys figured out yet, but I know that I want them to be well-adjusted, healthy, and successful adults. That means they need to play today. How does play prepare our kids for the future? I've noticed that there are five specific ways our kids can climb to success as they play.
Improve Social Skills
As adults, we use social skills every day. We have to be comfortable around other people, and we need to be able to negotiate, communicate clearly, and express our emotions in healthy ways.
That's one reason why I encourage my girls to play. Every time they visit the playground, enjoy a play date at someone's house, or go outside for recess, they practice social skills. These opportunities improve and mature my kids and prepare them for adulthood.
Explore Different Roles
I'm a firm believer in empowering kids to understand their personalities, interests, and likes. I know, though, that children are a work in progress and need play to help them become more self-aware.
As they explore different roles and play house, tag, or soccer, they discover new things about themselves and about other people. They learn to put themselves in someone else's shoes and be more compassionate and empathetic.
Play also lets children discover their passions. I enjoy watching my girls pretend they're firefighters, teachers, and veterinarians. Who knows what career they'll ultimately choose, but for now, they're exploring new and different roles as they play, and that will help them be happier and more fulfilled as adults.
Establish Physical Activity Habits
I'm a big physical activity advocate because kids are less likely to be obese and more likely to be focused and engaged in school when they're active. Plus, kids who find a physical activity or sport they really enjoy are likely to stick with that activity when they grow up.
There's nothing wrong with playing video games or enjoying sedentary activities like reading, but I also encourage my girls to climb the park's jungle gym, hike a local trail, and roller-skate around the block at least daily. They need these play times for better health now and as they establish physical activity habits that last a lifetime.
Feel Comfortable Making Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes. It's part of life. As adults, we can either embrace our mistakes and learn from them or feel depressed and useless when we mess up. I think we all can agree that we want our kids to know that mistakes happen and be comfortable when they fail. Those mistakes mean they're taking risks that help them grow.
Play time is a great time to learn how to make mistakes. As kids build block castles, throw a football, and practice drawing, they're figuring out that mistakes are normal, learning how to cope with their humanness, and honing their problem-solving skills. This resilience and ability to embrace mistakes can only help our kids in the future.
Promote Mental Health
Kids spend hours concentrating on academics every day in school. When they come home, they have homework, scheduled activities, and practices. When do they have time to relax, unwind, and play?
Kids need downtime in their daily schedule. A healthy work-life balance can reduce burnout and anxiety. Play also reduces depression. Shooting hoops, jumping rope, and building blocks are all activities that cam improve a child's current mental health and establish good mental health habits for them when they're adults.
Playtime today is essential for our kids' future success. They're more likely to be prepared for the real world thanks to lessons they learn during play. How will you encourage your kids to play and climb to success today?
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
Playgrounds
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Tuesday, November 10, 2015
10 Ways to Support Children Around the World
Of the 7 billion people living on earth today, a quarter of them, or 1,750,000,000, are 14 and younger. Those children are the future of our planet. They're the caretakers, parents, leaders, and thinkers of the future. What can we do today to support these kids? I can think of 10 supportive actions we can take today to support children around the world. Maybe my list will inspire you to help, too.
Donate to KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! promotes play and creates safe play environments for children around the world. In fact, they've built 16,300 playgrounds and served 8.1 million kids since 1996. Be part of their playful mission when you visit Kaboom.org and donate money, interact on social media, or volunteer your time.
Give Coats to Kids
A warm coat raises self-esteem, promotes pride, and builds excitement and joy for kids in need. Be part of providing kids in your community and around the country with a warm coat when you give money and other resources to Operation Warm.
Sponsor a Child Through Save the Children
You can't help every kid in the world escape poverty, but you can support Save the Children. By donating money, participating in a fundraiser, or sponsoring a child, you can provide medical treatment to newborns, tutor kids, and assist in disaster relief. Visit SavetheChildren.org and put 89 percent of your financial donation toward changing lives across the globe.
Volunteer at Your Local Library
Reading to kids improves their reading comprehension, standardized test scores, and chances of succeeding in life. Transform a child's life when you volunteer to read to kids at your local library.
Feed Hungry Children
As many as one in five kids in the U.S. are undernourished. We can change that statistic by donating an hour's wages, holding a bake sale, or volunteering with No Kid Hungry. The organization teaches nutrition and budgeting, operates food banks, and provides food to emergency relief organizations as it feeds our neighbors.
Fix Your Local Playground
Neglected playgrounds always make me feel a little sad as I think of the fun kids are missing. That's why I encourage you to take action in your neighborhood. Clean up trash, paint benches, and fix broken swing chains. You can also apply for grants or raise money for new equipment as you welcome kids to play safely.
Fund Doctors of the World
As many as 50,000 kids live on the streets of St. Petersburg, Russia. Did you know you can help those kids and children like them in 20 countries across the globe? Support Doctors of the World (DOW) with your financial donations and you combat epidemics, protect children's rights, and offer prenatal care.
Spend Device-Free Time With Your Kids
I appreciate that my kids need electronics for school projects and to stay in touch with family and friends, but they also need device-free time with me and each other. We unplug for dinner every night and at least one day a week. The experience builds stronger emotional bonds, boosts my kids' academic performance, and helps us have fun together. I encourage you to unplug with your family, too.
Support Reach Out and Read
Medical providers in all 50 states distributed 6.5 million books to kids in 2014. Be part of promoting literacy when you support Reach Out and Read. Donate money, volunteer, or buy a Ralph Lauren bookmark to support children's literacy.
Donate Birthday Presents
If your kids are like mine, they have enough stuff. This year, I'm challenging my girls to donate their birthday presents to kids in need. Instead of presents, their friends and family members can donate to a favorite children's charity in my girls' names as we all support kids around the world.
Are you ready to change the world one child at a time? Let's support kids with these 10 ideas. I can't wait to hear how you decide to make a difference!
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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Friday, October 30, 2015
Brain Games: 9 Benefits of Play-Based Learning
"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood." I love that quote by Fred Rogers because it expresses my belief that play is essential for learning. Do you agree? Here are nine reasons why play-based learning is beneficial for our kids.
Play-based learning draws from a child's innate desire to explore, interact, socialize, and play.
Children are naturally curious, and they want to actively engage in their world. Imaginative, creative, and practical play provides plenty of opportunities for them to explore, interact, and socialize as they have fun.
Play-based learning motivates and engages kids.
Some kids do learn while doing worksheets or listening to a parent lecture, but my girls and many kids thrive while playing. For these kids, play-based learning motivates and engages them. They're eager to learn math facts while shooting hoops and are quicker to remember how to tie their shoes while they say a rhyme.
Play-based learning builds positive relationships with education and learning.
I know I want my girls to become lifelong learners who always explore, grow, and learn. If their educational experience is boring, though, they'll have no desire to keep learning things. That's why I appreciate play-based learning. Because my girls have fun as they learn, they're more likely to want to continue their education in the future.
Play-based learning enhances creativity.
Many modern curricula focus on facts but neglect creativity. That's why pretend play is crucial for kids. They can imagine scenarios, invent problems, and come up with solutions in an active environment that promotes and hones their creativity.
Play-based learning provides opportunities to practice skills.
When I talk to other parents about school, homework is one of our biggest challenges. That extra practice reinforces lessons from school, though. So why not use play to do the same thing? While reinforcing skills, exploring concepts at their own pace, and becoming comfortable with facts, they also have fun learning math as they play hopscotch or run around the yard, for example.
Play-based learning reinforces social cognition.
Empathy, taking turns, and negotiating conflict are all aspects of social cognition that kids learn as they play. By providing play-based learning opportunities, you help kids get along better with their peers now and in the future.
Play-based learning improves abstract thinking.
Sometimes, kids need to see more than concrete facts. They need to think outside of the box and feel intuitively. Abstract thinking is one skill kids gain when they play. As they build creations with blocks or consider what a character on a coloring page is thinking, they improve their abstract thinking skills.
Play-based learning helps kids problem-solve.
Kids can learn to solve problems in a classroom, but I want my girls to know how to think on their feet. What will they do when another kid is using their favorite swing or four kids want to play a three-person game? Play time helps our kids learn how to come up with solutions and find an answer that works as they problem-solve.
Play-based learning teaches critical-thinking skills.
All day long, my girls are told what to do and how to do it. I appreciate that they can learn to think for themselves when they play. They learn how to ask open-ended questions, consider multiple or unspecified responses, and interpret the results. On the playground, during family game night, or on the sports field, they develop critical-thinking skills that are essential for success in life.
Kids need play to learn these important skills and life lessons. I encourage my girls to engage in play-based learning. What brain games will your kids practice the next time they play?
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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Friday, October 23, 2015
Smart Seeds: 7 Ways That Young Brains Blossom Through Play
When your kids play, it might look like they're merely having fun. However, they're actually developing their brains. Numerous studies show that play helps young brains blossom. Learn more as you encourage the kids you love to play.
Play Improves Attention Spans
Recess is more than a way for kids to get fresh air. Studies show that kids pay more attention in school after they take breaks for free play without adult direction. Chinese and Japanese students understand the correlation between play breaks and improved attention. They rank high in academics perhaps in part because they take short breaks every 50 minutes.
Play Improves Language Skills
We know kids aren't born with the ability to talk, but did you know that play develops essential language skills? Our kids learn how to communicate with receptive and expressive language, which means they understand more words and speak more words, thanks to play.
Play Improves Problem-Solving Skills
Learning how to solve problems is a skill I want my girls to learn. They can become better problem-solvers as they play with multi-solution toys and pretend.
According to psychologists, there are two types of problems. Convergent problems have one solution, and divergent problems have multiple solutions. Kids are better able to solve divergent problems when they play.
In one experiment, some kids were given puzzles, a convergent toy, while others played with blocks, a divergent toy. They were then given a divergent-thinking test, and the kids who played with blocks were better able to solve the problems. In another study, kids who played pretend also had a greater ability to solve divergent problems.
Play Improves Self-Regulation
The ability to control impulses, attention, and emotions is super-important for kids, and they can actually learn this skill through play. One study found that kids who frequently engage in pretend play also frequently practice cooperation and conforming to rules. This practice develops their self-control and hones their self-regulation over time.
Another study links counterfactual reasoning and pretend play. Basically, play helps our kids learn how to infer what's going to happen even though it hasn't happened yet, and I know that I want my kids to master "what if" scenarios as they go through life.
Play Improves Math Skills
The blocks your kids play with aren't just toys for building, sorting, or stacking. Studies show that kids who engage in more complicated or sophisticated block play in preschool take higher-level math classes and perform better than their peers in high school. IQ does play a part for these kids, but they need play to develop their math skills, too.
Play Improves Kids' Real-Life Coping Skills
Do your kids enjoy playing imaginative and make-believe games like my girls do? If so, they're building real-life coping skills. Preschoolers as young as three understand the difference between real life and fantasy in part because of their pretend play. They also know that they can put their pretend experiences into practice with friends, at home, or in school.
Play Improves Scientific Awareness
The next time your kids ask to play in the mud or build a sand castle, let them. These types of messy play activities promote scientific awareness and build a child's understanding of physics, textures, and matter.
Have you ever made the connection between play and brain growth? Our kids grow and learn because we give them freedom to play. Let's raise smart seeds as we encourage young brains to blossom while they play!
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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Monday, October 19, 2015
Mama Play Awards: 5 Twitter Moms Who Are Awesome Advocates for Play!
In June, I published a blog post honoring the fathers who dedicate time and effort to delivering the joy of play to kids around the world. I am deeply grateful for all of your positive feedback and shares! The "play matters" community is astounding, lively, and empowering! Now, I want to honor the mothers who serve as steadfast, enthusiastic advocates for play. These five women are so deserving of the 'Mama Play Awards'! If you want to learn more about the importance of play, I urge you to tap into the fantastic resources they provide. To connect with them via Twitter, click on their names!
- Lenore Skenazy: Risky play is natural. It preps children for the unpredictable nature of the real world. When children engage in a healthy balance of risk, freedom, and play, they build confidence and independence. Risky play provides a challenging and enriching kind of fun that kids create themselves. Lenore Skenazy knows just how powerful this is! When she allowed her 9-year-old son to ride the subway alone, Lenore Skenazy became known as the "worst mom in America." That experience prompted her to launch FreeRangeKids.com, a platform where she advocates for more freedom in children's daily lives. Her bold, proactive approach has empowered countless parents to loosen the reins and encourage their kids to explore all facets of play, including myself!
- Janice Halloran: I love interacting with Janice on Twitter and exploring her colorful, abundant website! As a licensed social worker, mental health counselor, and mom of two, I wholeheartedly trust her insights on how vital play is for the social and emotional wellbeing of children. She believes that play is the foundation for future skills, and is dedicated to making play accessible to all children, especially those with ADHD, autism, social anxiety, and sensory processing issues.
- Jill Vialet: If you have read my interview with Jill Vialet, you know how much of a fan I am. Jill Vialet is the founder and CEO of Playworks, a non-profit organization that strives to unlock every child's "superpowers" with recess and play! They train coaches that embark on exciting, community-fueled journeys to create more playful cultures in schools. Jill firmly believes that play matters because "it creates an opportunity to bring out the best in every kid - and it's an opportunity for kids to really see the best in themselves." Jill also penned a novel titled Recess Rules - it empowers kids to stand up for recess and believe in their ability to make a positive impact.
- Charmin Calamaris: Charmin Calamaris departed from her seasoned career and became dedicated to supporting her own health and wellbeing. In doing so, she discovered that it helped her be a "better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and citizen." This personal revolution sparked the Momiverse. This lively, wholesome resource empowers mothers to build a more fulfilling, balanced lifestyle for themselves while nurturing a family. The Momiverse explores topics that are meaningful, such as cyberbulling, healthy recipes, exercise for the whole family, and of course, the wonders of play. I also admire her dedication to being eco-friendly and celebrating the planet we have!
- Bethe Almeras: If you believe childhood should be messy, muddy, and silly, connect with Bethe Almeras, the one and only Grass Stain Guru! Almeras encourages parents and kids to unplug, go barefoot, embrace eccentricity, and seek unbridled joy outdoors. Really, she advocates for kids to be kids! My interview with her was such a fun and enriching experience. Bethe states that "children are born to play." I passionately agree! Another wonderful thing about Bethe is her spirited support for animal adoption. She truly is a blessing to her community!
These are just a few of the marvelous women I have met that are deserving of a Mama Play Award. While they may not all be mothers, their commitment to play means that they are creating a world where every child can thrive. Are there any other champions of play we should know about? Please tell us in the comments!
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Wondrous Worlds: 7 Ways That Kids Benefit From Pretend Play
Epic battles, stirring speeches, swashbuckling pirates, awe-inspiring astronauts, poised princesses, lost treasures, talkative teddies, heroic rescues, bustling restaurants, terrific tea parties - where can you find such an entertaining line-up all wrapped into one package? A child's brain! Pretend play makes all of this possible and more. Pretend play is often considered fun and frivolous, fueled by imagination and whimsy. In truth, it goes far beyond that. While kids are jousting in tournaments, operating a starship, and whipping up a gourmet meal, they are learning to solve problems, communicate, and think inventively. As they dive into these creative scenarios, they are building real world skills and individuality. Yes, they are having fun, but this kind of natural joy is key to keeping their minds and bodies engaged! Let's don our archeologist gear and uncover the 7 truths of pretend play!
Social Skills
Kids can learn social skills at school, but they also hone these invaluable skills during pretend play. When children play, they are freely experimenting with social and emotional roles. Not only will this help them develop empathy and understanding, it will also boost self-esteem because they are discovering all that they are capable of! Group pretend play adds a new, nurturing dynamic. They talk, share responsibilities, take turns, and work through disagreements. Pretend play invites children to explore and become comfortable with the endless array of social cues they will encounter throughout life.
Emotional Skills
For children, the world can be a scary and confusing place. Ever wonder why "playing doctor" seems to be a common choice? Pretend play gives kids the opportunity to confront unfamiliar, frightening scenarios in the comfort of their own play place. New emotions can be tough for kids to navigate; pretend play creates a sprawling stage where they can face these feelings, work through them, and create a healthy balance. It helps them feel more in control of their surroundings and any changes that they experience.
Problem-Solving Skills
As kids concoct masterful meals, conjure up elaborate adventures, or build epic forts together or alone, they are surmounting challenges with abstract thinking, communication, and brainstorming skills. Are the kiddos lacking a suitable roof for their fort? By uniting creativity with practicality, they will find a solution such as using an upside down kiddy pool. Listening, emotional regulation, balancing peer input, communication, negotiation, goal-setting, planning, taking action - all of these pretend play attributes are exactly what an adult needs to excel in the workplace too!
Imagination
This is a given! Pretend play is all about cultivating and activating the imagination. Picasso once said that "every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." This is why pretend play is so important and why kids need recess! With the wonderful, whimsical power of their minds, kids are transforming boxes into castles and spaceships. Pretend play compels children to think big, imagine big, and dream big. Plenty of play keeps the natural talent of imagining nothing into something incredible thriving throughout life!
Empathy
I touched upon this before. Pretend play often involves becoming someone else. Kids are walking in other people's shoes, experiencing their problems and emotions. Of course, cultivating strong empathy takes time and maturity, but pretend play helps set the foundation for viewing life from the perspective of others.
Language Skills
The colorful, unique conversations that my girls have while playing never cease to amaze me. Not only do they speak realistically, but they use vocabulary words I didn't even know they knew! Pretend play creates a platform for kids to employ words that they hear and learn in various situations. Not only does it help them become more comfortable with self-expression and speech, it helps connect the dots of language.
Self-Esteem
Through dramatic play, kids of all ages are hard at work discovering themselves. They are learning about their abilities and interests. This self-awareness and individuality helps build self-esteem. When kids put their minds to it, they can become anything! I love watching my girls tie on their superhero cape and save the day or work as doctors who heal sick babies and animals.
What are your children's favorite pretend play activities? I would love to hear all about it! All forms of play are fundamental to every facet of a child's development. Pretend play is priceless because it feeds children's imagination and individuality!
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
Playgrounds
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Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Fit Family, Fun Fall: 9 Ways to Stay Active as the Temperature Drops
It's easy to stay active during warm weather, but cooler temperatures tempt me to hibernate indoors under the blankets. If you're like me, you might need some encouragement to stay active. Here are nine activities my family enjoys, and they might motivate your family to stay active, too, when the temperature drops.
Dance!
My girls love to play Just Dance on Wii, dance as they get ready for school, and dance to music as they clean their rooms. I've also been known to break out in a dance while prepping dinner or during commercial breaks as we watch TV. You can even host a dance party or do Zumba as you stay active and have fun this fall.
Go Camping Indoors
Plummeting temperatures may prevent you from heading to your favorite outdoor camping spot, but you can pitch a tent in the basement or set up air mattresses in the master bedroom. Turn off your devices, cook on your indoor grill, and plan a scavenger hunt. Your entire family will still have fun while staying active and spending time together.
Take the Stairs
Wherever you go this fall, look for opportunities to take the stairs as often as possible. I advocate this fitness activity all year, but I especially like it during the colder months. It keeps me healthy and warms my fingers and toes, which is an extra bonus I definitely appreciate!
Go Ice-Skating
Whether you're an ice-skating newbie or expert, take time during cooler weather to try this aerobic sport. It's family-friendly and affordable. Plus, you'll have fun cheering for and supporting each other on the ice.
Jog in Place
Sitting still for too long isn't good for your circulation, heart, or health. As you watch a movie or a TV show, stay moving by jogging in place. If you can't jog, walk in place, jump on a mini-trampoline, or do push-up competitions with the whole family. You'll still see your favorite shows as you add activity into your family time.
Play Twister
Active games like Twister keep my girls moving all winter. They have fun tying themselves in knots, and I appreciate that they're moving. Other active games your family could try include Simon says, hide and seek, and hide the button.
Walk the Mall
If your kids love shopping as much as my girls, walk the mall this fall. Park as far away as possible from the entrance, speed-walk between stores, and opt for the stairs instead of the escalators as you get a workout and enjoy retail therapy.
Do At-Home Workouts
I love the fact that my family can access dozens of workouts at home. We can watch YouTube videos, play fitness games on the Xbox, and use our exercise ball, Hula-Hoops, or yoga poses to get a great workout. And while we're staying fit, we have fun together.
Join a Rec Center
At our local rec center, we can play basketball, swim, and take fitness classes. There's an activity for everyone in our family, and we love the opportunity to be active together. If you don't think you have time for another thing on your schedule, try meeting up for a basketball game after dinner or swim on Sunday afternoons.
Staying active is more challenging when cooler fall weather hits, but you and your family can keep moving with these nine tips. What are you waiting for? Be a fit family and have fall fun as you stay active today and all season!
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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