The Play’s the Thing: How Fun Can Make Your Child a Better Student

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.

Play Can Make Your Child A Better Student
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/

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