How Play-based Learning Can Set Your Child Up For Success

Every parent wants what is best for their child although it can be hard to know which direction they will go in as they grow up. The good news is that you can help your child become successful in life by giving them the best possible start.

That means ensuring they have all the knowledge and skills they need to flourish. Part of this is signing them up to a reputable early learning establishment. But, you also need to know how to play with them. This is when you get to spend quality time with your child and they will still be learning!

How Play-Based Learning Works

Most children love to play. This is because it is fun and it feeds their natural curiosity. However, most forms of play are also learning moments. For example, stacking blocks is the perfect way to develop counting skills. Even knocking the blocks over can help with counting or subtracting.

Play-based learning simply appreciates that children already like to play. Instead of random play, you, or their teacher, will guide them to explore the ramifications of the play.

For example, returning to the building blocks. All you have to do is encourage them to think about how many blocks they have stacked or how many have fallen down. This is basic math and your child won’t even notice they are learning a skill.

How It Creates Success In Life

Up to the age of five children literally soak up information. The more knowledge you can put in their path during these five years the better prepared they will be for life. Play allows you to do this without them losing interest.

This creates several benefits which will help them be successful in life:

• They enjoy learning

The most important part of this approach is that children enjoy the learning experience. That makes it much easier to teach them new things and expand their knowledge of the world around them.

• Learn more

Because they are interested and enjoying it, children will stay focused for longer and learn more.  This makes them better prepared for higher education and the knowledge/qualifications they need for success later in life.

• Builds confidence

Children that learn through play will be developing the ability to make their own decisions. This builds confidence and that will be carried through into the future. As we all know, in the adult world, confidence can take you a long way.

• Social skills

Play means interacting with others. That’s important as this teaches your child to share and they will develop appropriate social skills. Naturally social skills are essential to success as a child and throughout life. It can be difficult to teach social skills but play allows them to be introduced and learned naturally. These skills can also increase multimodal learning.

Don’t forget that play is also fun. Even if your child isn’t always learning they will be playing with you and this creates quality bonding time which is hard to beat!