Tips to Make Your Child’s Play Even More Powerful
When children play, they learn and grow. It’s that simple.
Here are tips and suggestions to help parents and other caregivers enhance the learning that happens naturally through play.
Ask Open-Ended Questions
When you ask a child questions that don’t have a yes/no or right/wrong answer, their minds explore options and new possibilities.
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- “What do you think?”
- “How did you do that?”
- “Why do you think that happened?”
- “What ideas do you have?”
Make Observations
Focus on how a child is doing something, less on the outcome. Kids learn new words when adults notice and describe the action.
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- “I noticed how you flipped the puzzle piece so it would fit.”
- “I see you connected the tubes to make the water flow.”
Pose Challenges
Extend a child’s imagination by adding twists to their play.
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- “What would happen if…?”
- “What would you do if…?”
- “Let’s pretend…”
Lead by Example
- Show you’re eager to play and learn, too.
- Model confidence, cooperative behavior and flexible thinking.
Slow Down
- Don’t rush an activity.
- Observe with purpose – notice and describe details.
Guide Without Taking Over
Be a great sidekick during any activity by asking questions to spark your child’s thinking.
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- “What have you tried so far?”
- “What else do you want to try?”
- “What do you think would happen if…?”
- Give children time and space to work through challenges on their own.
Attitude is Everything
- Remind yourself: Children are capable people.
- Focus more on the doing, less on the outcome.
- Avoid imposing one “right way” of doing things.
- Embrace repetition – give children time to do something again and again.
- View a child’s failures (and your own!) as learning opportunities.
- Try not to get frustrated – you’ve had more practice than they have!
- Make play a priority – for your children and yourself.
POWERFUL PLAY
POWERFUL PLAY
Powerful Play: Fun, Active and Open-Ended
Play is particularly powerful when a child’s own interests drive the activity.
The Power of Play: Joy, Wonder and Wellness
What’s so great about play? Let’s count the ways!
Coordination
Power of Play: Coordination is a child’s awareness and control of their body and their ability to display strength, balance, precision and endurance.
Creative Thinking
Power of Play: Creative thinking is a kid’s ability to imagine, improvise, reinvent, innovate, and approach challenges from fresh perspectives.
Communication
Power of Play: Communication is how a child expresses thoughts and ideas, listens and responds to others, and engages in discussion.
(Self) Control
Power of Play: Self-control is a child’s ability to control how they express their feelings, desires and actions in ways that are safe and productive, particularly when faced with a temptation or a challenge.
Collaboration
Power of Play: Collaboration is how kids connect with others, cooperate, empathize and engage in teamwork.
Critical Thinking
Power of Play: Critical thinking is a child’s ability to be curious and analytical, to evaluate different options, to make plans and to reflect.
Confidence
Power of Play: Confidence is a kid’s belief that they can accomplish something, or attempt something, based on their own abilities and mindset.