“Children learn as they play. More importantly, in play, children learn how to learn.” — said O. Fred Donaldson
And yes, it’s important to have balance in your life between your learning and play. But nothing could be further from the truth in the world of a child. Children learn how to think, interact, connect with others, and, of course, how to unleash their creativity via play.
Despite this, many parents believe that what they are doing is a “waste of time.” When it comes to their child’s screen time, I always ask the same three questions. Does it have an impact on their schoolwork? Is it having an impact on their physical education? Is it having an impact on their peer development and interactions? Typically, parents claim that none of these factors are impacted. So, if that’s the case, there’s no need to be concerned about screen time. No matter what, its digital play or “analog” (or non-digital) play, Play-based learning can set your child up for success at school and beyond.
Defining Play-based Learning
Play is defined as “an expression of children’s actions and their own creative meaning” and is widely considered to be “a cornerstone of children’s behavior”, according to researchers. When children play, they surrender to imaginative thinking and lose themselves in a multi-sensory experience derived from their own volition. Furthermore, playfully framed learning activities for children are generally more effective, with particular types and uses of play being more helpful in supporting learning and children’s growth.
However, Today’s Gen Z have unprecedented access to digital media and technologies, having grown up as ‘digital natives’ for discovering academic competencies while simultaneously nurturing soft skills. Robotics, coding and programming form a key part of the Design & Technology curriculum. How can parents and educators ensure our children have the competencies they’ll need for this exciting and digital future? What can we do today to produce developed minds at the forefront of innovation?
Positive trends
It’s amazing to see how crucial the 4C’s are in this digital age: Creativity, Critical thinking, Cooperation, and Communication. Exposure to fresh events and notions “beyond the box” can help children learn how to be creative. Students with critical thinking skills are better able to discover facts for themselves. Cooperation and communication can help children accurately communicate their social skills to people who are different from them, with varied beliefs, experiences, and talents. Thus, Digital play researchers are obstinate that technology enhances rather than detracts from children’s play. “Necessity may be the mother of invention, but play is certainly the father.” — said Roger Von Oech.
Exposure of digital products
We parents believe they have an important role to play in helping their children develop safe, healthy habits for technology use. How can we ensure our kids get the best out of their online playtime? How can you find interactive and functional aspects that are beneficial to children?
- Appropriate Leveling and Quality Content is important in setting the app according to the child’s needs easily and quickly. Instead of having kids focus their energy on activities to memorize and recall information quickly, add in activities that promote cognitive skills, Build language skills, Encourage social skills, real-world applications, or problem-solving. To add depth, you can make a virtual model, record something, play a strategic game, or build something new.
- Parental controls can help you keep your children’s online experiences safe, enjoyable, and productive.
- Right Balance ensures young children have equal and equitable opportunities to participate in between digital play and analog play.
Although we would still heartily endorse the need for a diverse range of play activities, it seems unfair to blame children for being sedentary after removing so many of the environments that encourage active play. While the risks can never be entirely mitigated, choices regarding access, control, and guidance can help minimize the risk and promote the benefits digital play can offer. The choice is yours. The important thing is to recognize that making the choice is important — and to make it deliberately. “Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs; it’s about deliberately choosing to be different”~Michael Porter.
Together we can build joy and happiness through the power of play.
