Playing a game of sorting bottle caps.
Creative and Fun
Years ago as a kindergarten teacher, I wanted to make learning fun for my students, discovering rather quickly one way was through games and play. Now years later as a grandmother of three grandkids under the age of four, it’s fun to see them grow and develop, learning through their play.
My oldest grandson, Carson, visits on Wednesdays and some Thursdays, so I’m always trying to think of new things for him to do. By lunchtime this Thursday, I had exhausted all of my ideas, when Carson said, “Will you play with me?” Saying I would, but not sure what we would play, I remembered an assortment of bottle caps I had been saving in a box.
Soon they were being sorted by color, size and shape, even turning into a fort, stacked one on top of the other. Before long Carson came up with his own game of hiding the smaller ones under the larger ones, asking me what color. I had as much fun as Carson playing this game, amazed that something as simple as bottle caps could lead to a higher order thinking skill for a three-year-old.
It never ceases to amaze me how creative kids can be, making games or toys out of found objects while ignoring games or toys from the store that may have cost a small fortune. I’m sure like me you’ve seen a child push a toy aside, wanting the cardboard box instead. Since play is a child’s work, we need to encourage it more, not less.
To learn about the benefits of play, check out the Live Science website. Their health page lists five benefits, including “play helps children develop crucial skills for life.”
If you’re in need of new ideas for play, don’t forget to check out Pinterest.
What was your favorite game as a child? Leave a comment below, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
Dicy
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog
