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Thursday, September 28, 2006

Playing Definitely Has Benefits

K was doing her maths work the other day and one of the exercises was to recognize patterns. For example:

I realized she had difficulty drawing squares on top of each other or drawing squares/circles into a pyramid. I was getting a little agitated trying to explain where to position the lines so the squares would not end up on top of another square but rather in between two squares. She just couldn't get it.
Controlling my frustration, I walked to her toy drawer where all the blocks were kept. I managed to find 10 square blocks and showed her how to build a pyramid. She asked to play with them a little longer and so, she practiced and practiced building the pyramid. Now, my kids have been playing with blocks for a long time. But I think this is the first time she saw how her playing is related to the things she is learning in books. Next thing I know, she comes to me with a drawing of a pyramid made out of squares. All my screaming and explaining could not teach her what she learned at play.
So here is proof that play does benefit learning. Tell that to your MIL :)

 P.S. I really recommend that you get some building blocks for your children to play. Not only is it educational and helps to develop a child's imagination, but also provides time for QUIET play :)

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous02 October, 2006 16:19

    I agree with you on this one. I've seen my kids use their 'play' lessons like counting, adding and subtracting in their homework. And the funny thing is that they don't even know what hit them! :-) Which is cool...if you ask me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous04 October, 2006 12:59

    Agreed! Play is learning.

    My kid learnt sequencing with his toy cars. He arranged in threes...then he arranged it in red, yellow, blue, red,yellow, blue.. etc.

    I've given up on teaching him maths the conventional way..i'm playing with him now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous07 October, 2006 07:30

    Awesome post! I have heard of alternative schools that use that observation to teach their whole curriculum, and I think it's a great idea! If kids have fun learning, they'll love learning, and learn more, instead of hating it and trying to take as many shortcuts as possible.

    ReplyDelete

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