If you have been following my blog for sometime, you may notice that I have been advocating homeschooling as one of the best methods in planting knowledge in children.
My wife serves as our child’s “school adviser” and lead teacher and I, the “other subjects” teacher in homeschooling our daughter. I prefer it that way. 😀
My wife teaches our child the main subjects such English and Filipino Languages (Reading and Writing), Mathematics, Science, etc. while I am in charge in teaching about Values/Religion, Music, Physical Education, and other “extra-curricular” subjects. But we both work together in teaching our child about setting goals.
But what struck me recently is this infographic sent to me by a friend from the US. We don’t have to be boring and authoritarian in our teaching ways. Fun and play should always be part of the lesson plan.
The infographic shows that playing games can help boost development throughout childhood. Through playing games children learn a number of important skills, like turn-taking, empathy, problem solving, and being a good sport whether they win or lose. Scientific evidence supports a theory that play stimulates the cerebral cortex which is vital to learning and memory. Seven graphics depict different games that children can play and discusses what skills are associated with each.
For example, playing I Spy can help children with attention spans and language development. Another illustration discusses the benefits of physical play in children, such as improved cardiovascular health and better concentration and attention. 2 out of 3 students are not engaged in physical activity every day, and only 6 states in the US require physical education for all grades.
Source: Early-Childhood-Education-Degrees.com
Fun — it’s not just for, well, fun. Playing games can help boost a person’s development throughout their childhood.
How Play Helps Children Develop
Playing is about more than just having fun — play of all types are critical for intellectual, emotional, social and physical development.
What children learn through play (1)
Taking turns
Negotiating conflict
Problem-solving
Shared goals
Delayed gratification
Empathy
Gracious winning/losing
Research has shown that play stimulates growth of the cerebral cortex. Animal studies have connected play with increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is vital to learning and memory. (2, 3)
Great Games
What skills do some of the most popular children’s games help build?
Board/card games
Learning to follow instructions
Taking turns
Blind Man’s Bluff/Marco Polo
Spatial reasoning
Strategy-building
Catch
Hand-eye coordination
Physics
Hide-and-Seek
Sense of exploration
Coping with separation
House
Imagination
Sharing responsibility
Simon Says
Following instructions
Self-control
I Spy
Attention span
Language development
Mind and Matter
In addition to helping develop needed skills, physical play has clear and substantial benefits on the brain and body.
Increased oxygen flow to brain
Elevated neurotransmitters
Improved memory
Greater motor coordination
Better concentration and attention
Reduction of stress and anxiety
Improved cardiovascular health
Lower risk of obesity, asthma and other health issues
2 in 3
Students who are not usually physically active every day (4)
Source: http://www.early-childhood-education-degrees.com/play-better-student/